2023: The Strengths And Weaknesses Of PRP Presidential Candidate Kola Abiola

Kola Abiola is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Redemption Party. Certain pundits have said he bossed a recent presidential campaign organised by the Centre for Democratic Development in collaboration with Arise TV.

Amongst the drama, name-calling and fact-checking, Kola Abiola, the presidential candidate under the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) held his own at the event.

He had also appeared on various national events and remains on of the dark horse potential voters are considering in the forthcoming presidential election.

Abiola's background will be briefly explored in this piece as we take a look at the man behind the name of one of Nigeria's most popular political figures.

In the early years of democratic governance in Nigeria, two names were not far from everyone's lips; the PRP and Abiola.

Coincidentally, the two names have resurfaced again but with a different fate.

Far back as September 27, 1978, a section of “Marxist intellectuals” broke off from a proposed national movement.

At the time as well, there was an influential politician “building bridges” across the Niger and nurturing his political wherewithal.

For reasons best to known to nature, both this party and the prominent Abiola name suffered unprecedented adversities.

Until 2023 election cycle, both names disappeared from our national discourse.

From an unbiased viewpoints, we'll reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the son of one of Nigeria's symbols of democracy.

The strengths

Kola Abiola and his party are taking their chances the best way they can.

From his Arise TV debates o other fora, he had been telling Nigerians that he's the epitome of promise the military government did not allow his father, MKO Abiola to fulfill.

Abiola eloquently promised to reinvent Nigeria's security architecture if elected president in 2023, a challenge which is becoming an epidemic in the country.

Banking on his father’s legacy without equivocation, one of the most significant political name in the history of Nigeria is MKO Abiola.

He won the annulled presidential election in 1993. It is not surprising that it has become Abiola's first son's political strengths.

Late Koye Ladele even put it better: MKO Abiola was the best president Nigeia never had, even when they wanted him.

On this premise, Kola Abiola is banking on his father’s unassailable political image.

Kola Abiola had earlier in the year declared that he would win next year’s election by repeating his father, MKO Abiola’s feat during the June 12, 1993 election.

Repeatedly, the PRP presidential candidate had saidd he was out to disrupt the process and win next year’s election.

He had maintained that he led the campaign planning and execution that earned his late father “victory” during the controversial election when he was 28.

The weakness

His party is nowhere near the shakers of the forthcoming election, judging by the social media trends and onsite involvements.

All News Nigeria fact check desk submitted that the PRP has never trended on Twitter in the last four months.

Social media is not the sole yardstick to determine or define political success.

The party had said it resurfaced to “reset” Nigeria is one of the oldest parties in the country’s politics.

But the party does not also have a single poster of any of its candidates for the 2023 election, according to our reporter in most major cities.

“I want to be president because I believe it is time for a complete reset of Nigeria.

"And I did not make any mistake by joining PRP. I did my homework thoroughly before joining the PRP.

"And I joined it because it is the only party that has no baggage, no problems or legacy issues.

"It is the only party that can convince the younger generation to get involved in the game, and not just to elect leaders,” Abiola said at the town hall meeting.

But the truth remains that a strong political will and a party ready to fight their way have always been the winner of the presidential race in recent elections.

Our correspondents reported that the PRP does not have potent candidates in most states in the federation.

As soothing as Abiola’s name sounds in the Nigerian political space, it is not surprising that some young voters and particularly social media users, do not know who Kola Abiola is.

Because history went on extinction in Nigeria or Kola Abiola is not a landlord in the Nigerian political game, you would not have to blame them.

Also, one’s father’s reputation looks too weak to win a presidential election in the giant of Africa.

It is so because despite the worldwide recognition MKO carries, it is safe to say it is not everyone who wants or likes him n the country today.

Therefore, if Kola Abiola is banking on a history that some Nigerians do not even know, then his dream of leading Nigaaeria come 2023 is under severe risk.

Kola Abiola also does not have the official political experience that will convince some voters who understand the history and the role he played in 1993. 

It s actually very hard not to go all out for one's father to become a president.

The likes of Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi have held presidential positions and are at the forefront of filling a role meant for a single winner.

Verdict

Kola Abiolais having a good shot at the 2023 presidency.

He is presenting his points in ways that fascinate some Nigerian voters.

Meanwhile, there are loopholes in his competencies and preparedness in him and his party if he truly wants to win the presidential race in 2023.