By Balarabe Oshiafi
A civil rights group, CountryFirst Movement, has asked Nigerians not to despair in the face biting hardship but live in the spirit of the country’s national anthem.
The group said on Saturday that the first words of the anthem – Arise, O Compatriots Nigeria’s Call Obey – “were configured for a time as this”, and urged citizens to change the unsavory narrative of the nation’s development by voting for the candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, who is campaigning with the “Obidient” slogan for the 2023 presidential elections.
In an Independence Day anniversary message signed by the Convener, Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr, and made available to ExpressDay, the Group posited that an uncommon opportunity for the country to better the lot of her citizens was again knocking at the door.
According to him: “I was born 11 years after Nigeria’s Independence from Britain, I have all my life seen administrations and ‘leaders’ who claim to have made monstrous sacrifices for Nigeria. Peter Gregory Obi the presidential candidate of the Labour Party was born 11 months after Independence, so he has obviously seen more of such ‘leaders’ of ‘sacrifice’ and therefore has risen to change the narrative. Folks, a NEW NIGERIA is PO-ssible.
“At the core of the many faiths that humankind professes is the call to OBI-DIENCE over uninformed and unguarded sacrifice of initiates and or followers of faith. Nigeria craves a NEW DEAL in leadership, Nigerians seek a New Republic of responsible and responsive leadership, and NIGERIA’S CALL is for a nation and leadership that works for the good of ALL.
“Apart from Peter Obi who was born about 11months after our Independence, the other three top contenders for the High Office of President come 2023, Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Abubakar Atiku were born before Nigeria gained Independence from Britain. And most of the other 14 candidates or so were born after Nigeria’s Independence.
“You may wonder why this preamble. I have chosen to make this brief Independence Day intervention as didactic as possible, believing that we shall ultimately resolve to build a nation where PEACE and JUSTICE reigns.
“Countrymen and women, we are poised to obey NIGERIA’S CALL for justice, equity, fairness and inclusiveness. Statesmen and women in the Southwest including the Afenifere Group have said so.
“The Middle Belt/North Central people have said so. The South South people have said so. The wonderful people of the Northwest and the Northeast have in no uncertain terms said that a just and equitable Nigeria is their desire. And the Southeast is committed to this cause.
“Our Country has chosen to do right, and to the right the wrongs of the past the OBI-diently Yusful Movement have become a massive uniting force across our nation. In no less than 14 States and Cities, the Obidients are out celebrating Nigeria’s Independence in monstrously attended marches and rallies. Yes, they are saying that OBI-dience is better than sacrifice. We have very interesting times ahead.
“Nigeria is in dire need of leaders who are true to what they say on paper. Nigeria is in great need of leaders who will appropriate her great resources for the common good. And now more than ever is the time to heed the call for a NEW NIGERIA. Indeed 2023 is our date with destiny, and I pray and hope that Nigerians will truly and dedicatedly elect OBI-dience over and above ‘leaders’ of ‘sacrifice’.”
