I’m the game changer, Obasanjo should retire from politics – ChiChi Ojei
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On 25 February 2023, Nigerians will decide who becomes the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In this interview, Toun Okewale Sonaiya speaks with the only female presidential candidate for 2023 Princess Chichi Ojei under the Allied People’s Movement party.

TOUN: Let’s start with the 2023 campaign and elections. We were excited to see you make the list as the only female in the 2023 Presidential race. However, we have not seen you campaign and the election comes up on February 25. Why?

CHICHI: Thank you Toun and thank you to my APM Family and supporters. I’m not the regular conventional politician. It’s important for Nigerians to know that I do things differently. Apart from being an APM Presidential candidate, I’m also the founder & National leader of revolutionary mindset movement “Storm” that refuses to adapt to the old, outdated ways of doing things in politics, our traditions, our culture, and the way we see things. There is so much attention on glamorising the
office of the president and in Nigeria we monetize campaigns. It’s high time Nigerians understand that there is so much more involved in politics than just attending events, rallies, with different political T-shirts and caps. Right now, we don’t need temporary solutions for
temporary problems. We have serious issues on ground that calls for more serious campaign solutions. One of our biggest problems in Nigeria right now is we don’t even read; we don’t approach candidates as soon as INEC
list is released. As I speak, a lot of people don’t even know that there’s a female Presidential candidate in the race. That is a big opportunity that can be missed if not realized on time. We are easily
misled and delusional with the common-man phenomenon. That has brought us to where we are today. The time is here to change the narrative and I
believe I’m the game changer. I’m redefining a new era in politics with the ‘Storm Movement’. I will define the end and the beginning of a new
generation. The future is now and here to stay. So, the vote for Princess ChiChi Ojei, is the vote for a secured future and the first right of ownership to your country. I will present to Nigerians a creative and innovative way of campaigning and my campaign starts now.

TOUN: Nigeria’s presidential seat has been adjudged to be that of a man. Sarah Jibril, Remi Sonaiya and Oby Ezekwesili have attempted to take on the number 1 seat. How do you feel being the only female among the 18
presidential candidates?

CHICHI: I feel elated and proud as a woman because we can do it, but I also feel sad and it’s so unfortunate that I am the only female presidential candidate. Women are not given enough opportunities in
politics in Nigeria. The reason I am here today is because I am
determined and lucky because luck has to be on your side. I didn’t want anything to stop me.

TOUN: I know that Nigerian women will vote for you because you represent Women. You represent hope. If elected, what strategy will you employ to enhance the representation of women in governance?

CHICHI: First and foremost, I’m a woman, so being a female and representing the woman out there takes precedence in my administration. The challenge we have as women is not strictly politics but the society, the culture and the tradition. We are not recognized but just limited to
marriages. The only time or most times a woman is recognized is through
the umbrella of marriage and that’s why the society pushes a lot of women to get married. The woman is expected to find her identity under male dominance or umbrella. We have to do things a lot harder than the average citizen of Nigeria. My administration is not just going to focus on how many percentages or how many women I will have on board. My administration will put women at the forefront. Women are so marginalized. Women are not respected as we should be. My administration will give us, give women the recognition and importance we have always
been yearning for.

TOUN: At what point did you decide to go into politics because you are relatively new in the Nigerian political arena?

CHICHI: My aim is to transform people’s lives. I’m a born humanitarian. I always want to make an impact in people’s lives and one of the best ways to achieve this is through politics on a national scale. In
Nigeria, we don’t speak the truth about politics. The whole political arena is polluted, stigmatized with full-blown corruption, fake promises, selfish and personal interests. It’s time to put the country
first and let Nigerians understand that there are other ways; other true dynamics of politics and it is nothing but public service to the country
and its people.

TOUN: Why the choice of the Allied People’s Movement Party?

ChiChi: APM believed in me and my vision. They believed it was time for a woman to have a voice. They have so much conviction in my honest
character, in my authenticity and the capacity to deliver good governance and they believe it is time for Nigeria to have a female president.

TOUN: Nigerian youths are now actively interested in politics. How do you intend to get the attention of the youths to vote for you, especially at a time when unemployment is at an alarming rate?

CHICHI: There is a problem, and the problem is in the government, leadership and followership dynamics. Firstly, we have to decide as a people whether we want the genuine change that we have always spoken about. Secondly, as a chief marketer, it is my job to present to Nigerian youths my vision and let them understand my vision; to present them with my manifesto and what my promises are and what I would offer Nigerians and what I would do differently. I would say they should watch out for the unveiling of my manifesto to see what I have to offer
differently.

TOUN: Former President Olusegun Obasanjo promotes women in governance but has recently endorsed Peter Obi. Do you think he should have
endorsed you being the only female candidate for the 2023 Presidency?

CHICHI: Toun, I need to ask you this question, which woman did former President Olusegun promote? I’m just wondering or maybe I was too young, or maybe there’s a part that I missed out on.

TOUN: As President, there were Women in his cabinet. He encouraged women in politics at a WIMBIZ conference years ago. That’s why I’m wondering
if you feel that he should have endorsed you and supported the only female presidential candidate that we have.

CHICHI: I have a different perception about his involvement or participation in women’s politics. I believe that he promotes stooges. He supports people who will happily do his bidding. That is different from supporting a woman because if he supports women, we are supposed to see more than one female presidential candidate to reflect true dynamics in the political parties. There should be fielding of more female
presidential candidates or more female vice-presidential candidates. The numbers are way lower than men. So, for me, my perception is of a man
that does not like for his age and authority to be challenged so how can he support a woman? Even if he did have women in his government, it
still does not resonate with women in governance nor women in politics in his administration. It’s quite different from women in general and in politics. This is a man who believes strongly in a patriarchal mindset. He’s part and parcel of an old generation and I believe he must be permanently retired from Nigerian politics. If he really believes that women be given a chance, let him vote APM candidate Princess Chichi Ojei in the ballot box for the change Nigeria deserves to redeem his image as a true patriarch of this country rather than putting his personal
interest first before the country.

TOUN: if you become Nigeria’s first female President in 2023, what would be your number one priority in the first 100 days?

CHICHI: Number one, number two, number three priority of my hundred days in office is national security, national security, national security. We
need to be alive to live in our country. We are not sure of our today not to speak of our tomorrow. My hundred days in office is enough to totally eradicate terrorism, banditry or any form of insecurities in
Nigeria. When I unveil the manifesto, I will speak more in-depth where death penalty shall be introduced.

TOUN: I look forward to hearing and reading about your manifestos and wish you victory at the polls on February 25.

CHICHI: Thank You Toun. Thank you Nigeria.