By PETRUS OBI
It all started as one of those propaganda or campaign if you wish. But gradually it continued to gain grounds. And practically, it kept spreading. Today it is becoming more or less a mass movement.
The PVC fever is all around the South East and it’s people both at home and in Diaspora.
Markets are being shut for the people to get their PVC’s. And voluntarily the people are obliging.
For a long time the Igbo of the South East Nigeria have lacked unity of purpose especially when it comes to politics. The people had severally pursued personal interest to the detriment of the overall interest of the people.
The formation of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, was an attempt to give the people a platform and a bargaining power in Nigeria politics and power equation. That effort was sabotaged by politcial players in the zone who as usual had other personal agenda.
Fast forward to the build up to the 2023 Presidential election. It was surely the turn of the Igbo’s, yet none of the two leading parties gave them a chance.
A wounded people, turned to their only hope, as former Anambra governor Peter Obi joined the Labour Party.
Yes, the party may have no structure, nothing on ground, but since after the civil war, the marginalized Igbo’s are out to make a bold statement.
Having lost hope in the electoral process the people have decided to go back and pick their PVC’s. Starting from the youths the campaign has spread like wild fire.
From schools, churches, markets the PVC has become a pass. From Lagos, Kaduna, Kano the story is the same.
Is this the begining of another round of regional politics?
Your answer is as good as that of this writer. Today in the South East it is not whether you like Peter Obi, is he a saint or not, but the wounded people of the East have seen at least one man who they can follow and who is ready to go with them.
He has provided a platform for the people to speak.
This movement has further compounded issues in both the PDP and APC whose choice for a Presidential running mate has become even difficult.
The Igbo are not alone in the struggle as the downtrodden, the marginalized, the youths and those who wish to have a better Nigeria with equal opportunity have joined.
