If Sowore Had The Numbers Obi Had The Street Would Have Blown Open- Dele Farotimi

Dele Farotimi is a well-known Nigerian commentator. He has shared insights on the 2023 Nigerian elections. He focused on the roles of Peter Obi, Yele Sowore, and the #RevolutionNow movement. His analysis looks at leadership, street action, and the election’s results. Farotimi’s views help us examine Nigerian politics. They also show the challenges of turning support into real political change. This article will explore Farotimi’s ideas and what they mean for future movements in Nigeria.

Dele Farotimi’s Analysis of the 2023 Election Dynamics

In a recent interview, Dele Farotimi talked about the 2023 elections. He focused on Peter Obi, Yele Sowore, and using the #RevolutionNow movement for street action. Farotimi stated: “I said in a book I wrote over two years ago it’s been available for download but our people don’t read and then they will be talking about being surprised by what somebody has done. There’s nothing I did in 2023 that isn’t in that book I made it clear I said I’ll follow the electoral part and when the system refuses to honor the will of the people it becomes the crystallizing factor to move to the street.” This statement shows Farotimi’s belief in elections and street action as tools for change.

He continued, “The only thing that happened in 2023 is that we were broken the person the people followed was not the person who could take to the street, that is not to suggest that the person is a “counterrevolutionary” it simply means that the person temperament is not the same as those of my friends who will revolution now !! Imagine if it was Yele that emerged as the leader in the election #revolutionnow would have marshalled itself into the street. But we are dealing with a labour party that did not have the structure to take to the street and then we are dealing with a divided street where we have “emilokan” factor . We didn’t have the capacity to take to the street because the most vibrant way of the #revolutionary movement belonged to a force that wasn’t aligned with the candidate that emerged the winner in the election. If Yele had the kind of numbers that Peter obi had the street would have blown open!!”

Farotimi’s Analysis of Leadership and Street Mobilization

Dele Farotimi’s statement shows something important about political movements. It’s about matching the leader’s style with the people’s energy for action. He suggests Peter Obi had support, especially online and in votes. However, the Labour Party and Obi’s way of doing things weren’t right for street protests. Someone like Sowore, known for his activism and #RevolutionNow, might have been better. This raises questions about the different ways political figures can act. It also shows why it’s important to understand how the public feels.

According to a BBC report, Peter Obi’s supporters held rallies before the 2023 election. This showed strong support and excitement for him [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-63049948]. However, Farotimi says this didn’t turn into the kind of constant street action that could have changed things. This is important for understanding Farotimi’s view of Obi’s campaign and its limits in street action.

Also, Farotimi’s analysis suggests the Labour Party wasn’t ready to turn Obi’s supporters’ energy into protests. This lack of support, along with other things, hurt the chance for a stronger challenge to the current political system. He believes being able to get supporters involved beyond voting is key to making real change.

The ‘Emilokan’ Factor and Divided Support

The ‘Emilokan’ factor also played a role. This refers to Bola Tinubu’s slogan that stressed his long-time goal to be president. This split the potential protest movement. This split, along with the Labour Party’s lack of street-level groups, stopped them from turning votes into action. The ‘Emilokan’ slogan appealed to some people. This took support away from a united opposition movement.

Farotimi’s analysis shows how complex Nigerian politics are. It also shows the challenges of creating a united movement for change. It’s important to note that Dele Farotimi has also criticized Peter Obi’s supporters. He called them dangerous because of how they acted after the 2023 elections [https://dailypost.ng/2023/03/22/2023-elections-peter-obis-supporters-are-nigerias-most-dangerous-dele-farotimi/]. This criticism shows the splits within the opposition movement. It makes effective street action even harder.

These splits and the ‘Emilokan’ factor made the political situation fragmented. This made it hard to create a strong movement to challenge the powerful groups. Any movement that wants to make big changes through elections and street action must overcome these splits.

Reflections on the 2023 Nigerian Elections

In the end, Farotimi’s view gives a critical look at the 2023 elections. It shows the missed chances to turn support into real political action. It reminds us that winning elections isn’t enough to change the system. A mix of elections and grassroots action is often needed to challenge those in power. A YouTube video shows Peter Obi’s supporters marching in Lagos. This shows the public support his campaign had during the 2023 election [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H-WJj48nyg].

Farotimi’s analysis helps us understand how leadership, organization, and public feelings affect political results. The 2023 elections are a good example. They show the challenges and chances for political movements in Nigeria. They also show why planning and action are important.

Looking ahead, Farotimi’s ideas can help future political figures who want to make change in Nigeria. By knowing that relying only on elections isn’t enough, and that building strong movements is key, leaders can use support to challenge power and make real reform.

Conclusion

Dele Farotimi’s analysis of the 2023 elections shows why it’s important for leaders to be able to inspire street action. It highlights a missed chance for a stronger challenge to the current political system. The ‘Emilokan’ factor and the Labour Party’s lack of street-level groups added to a divided opposition. This stopped them from turning votes into real action. Farotimi’s view is a valuable lesson for future movements in Nigeria. They need a mix of elections and grassroots action to make lasting change.