Metaphorically Speaking, Obi Is An Apple, Others Are Oranges -By Isaac Asabor

There is no denying the fact that comparing apples to oranges often leaves a clearer picture as regards how two or more items or personalities that are similar look different from each other. The basis of using both fruits to illustrate and buttress the differences between items or persons cannot be farfetched as apples and oranges are both fruits, they have different flavors, colors, textures, etc., but appear to be similar.

Against the backdrop of the foregoing view, not a few people will critically ask, “On what basis can two aspiring politicians that are separately affiliated with two opposing political parties be compared?

The answer to the unarguable censorious question cannot be farfetched when seen from the prism of the fact that voters also judge candidates by their personal characteristics that cut across the experience, honesty, morality, compassion, competence, and leadership ability of the candidates. In fact, voters see the electability of aspiring politicians to a given political position by candidates by forming images of the personal qualities and abilities of the candidates, and these perceptions are so important that they influence the vote cast at the polls. In fact, in politics, comparing a particular political aspirant’s values to his or her opponent’s values, especially when an election beckons, is like comparing apples to oranges.

At this juncture, it is expedient to say that one important aspect of Obi’s character that figuratively qualifies him to be likened to an apple while other aspirants come across as oranges, is the perceived honesty and trustworthiness his personality is characterized with, and which no doubt placed him ahead of other presidential candidates. In terms of integrity, Obi leads the pack; take it or leave it.

Another virtue that also stands him out is his competence, which not a few dispassionate and unbiased political observers and analysts alike across the country can unanimously attest to.

It can be asked in this context, “Why is Obi being likened to an apple, while others are collectively being referred to as oranges? The answer to the foregoing cannot be farfetched as his experience and knowledge are known of by his teeming followers nicknamed “Obidients” who are hardly likely to vote for any of the other presidential candidates whom they feel lack the experience and ability to handle the job of president.

In fact, the “Obidients” can never vote for any presidential aspirant that metaphorically comes across as an orange compared to Obi who is an apple, particularly when seen from the fact that the presidential position which is no doubt been eyed involves the leadership ability of the candidates. Those who are perceived as strong and inspiring leaders are much more likely to be preferred by the voters.

At this juncture, it is germane to make a clean breast that one of the idioms in English that kept me flummoxing since I became a writer and Journalist is: comparing apples and oranges. The first time I heard the phrase, it stopped me in my tracks. The conversation was no doubt embellished with the following phrases such as, “That is like comparing apples and oranges,” and “So what?” “You can’t compare the two!” “Wait, what?” “What do you mean I can’t compare the two?” “They’re too different”. The foregoing, no doubt, are the phrases that are usually used by arguers whenever the idiom, “Comparing apples and oranges” becomes expedient to illustrate situations or subjects that warrant comparison.

At this juncture, dear reader, you may want to turn around and look away. I am about to justify the basis of likening Peter Obi to an apple, and others to oranges.

There is no denying the fact that as Nigeria prepares to elect a new president in 2023 that Peter Obi remains the best candidate as he is the most friendly, and more appealing to a large spectrum of the youth population, even as he remains a heterogeneous governor in the history of Anambra State.

Unarguably to buttress the metaphorical fact that Obi is an apple, he has for the umpteenth time, since he joined the presidential race, projected by various pollsters to be the candidate that would win Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

According to a new poll commissioned by ANAP Foundation, Obi is bound to lead in the election, to be trailed behind by Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively trailing him. In a similar vein, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) emerged as a distant fourth behind Messrs Tinubu and Abubakar.

Conducted in early December, the results showed a large percentage of voters willing to vote for Mr. Obi if the presidential election were to be conducted today. Mr Abubakar came third with 10 percent and Mr. Kwankwaso was a distant fourth with only 2 percent of voters proposing to vote for him.

According to Mr. Atedo Peterside, the president and founder of ANAP foundation, “Mr. Peter Obi’s 10 per cent point lead at this stage is significant, but not sufficient to separate him from a leading pack of candidates scoring 13 percent, 10 percent, and 2 percent.”

As a Nigerian that is entitled to his opinion by virtue of Section 39 of the 1999 constitution that gave me the freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and to import ideas and information without interference, it suffices to say in this context that I have the inalienable rights to make commendable comments about my preferred candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential aspirant of the Labour Party in the forthcoming presidential election.

Simply put, Obi has the virtues that qualify him to be called an apple as against other aspirants that can collectively be called oranges. As I am wont to eulogize him at a different forum, he is not an opportunist. For the sake of clarity, an opportunist takes advantage of circumstances, with little regard for principles or with what the consequences are for others. Opportunist actions are expedient actions guided primarily by self-interested motives.

According to Wikipedia, the popular online encyclopedia, the term can be applied to individual humans and living organisms, groups, organizations, styles, behaviors, and trends.