Former Anambra State Governor and the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, Mr Peter Obi, on Thursday officially declared his intention to contest for the Presidency of Nigeria under the platform of his party, the PDP.
Obi, met with Anambra State traditional rulers, religious leaders and Presidents of the 177 autonomous communities in the State interestingly at the Government House Lodge, Awka under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) government of Porfessor Chukwuma Soludo even though he is of the PDP.
Obi while making his intention to contest the 2023 Presidential election known, noted that he is seeking the chance to fix Nigeria and unite the country as one.
According to him, “I am not contesting because I want political appointment but to serve this country and unite Nigeria and I am the only person that can unite Nigeria. The state of our country is deplorable and the level of insecurity is indeed unfortunate.
“Nigeria has fallen to the lowest ebb in the comity of nations and I am the only one that can restore security in Nigeria. As President; I want security of lives and property in Borno state , in Minner Niger state, as I want it to be in Onitsha and in Kano or Ekiti state.
“My interest in the presidency of Nigeria is to restore security and revamp our educational sector and also revive the health sector. And I have seriously studied our country and I have come to discover that all that we need is to ensure security so that foreign aid and local investments would thrive in all parts of the country.
“I have come to serve Nigeria and I am sure of restoring our country and uniting the country because if there is no unity in Nigeria we cannot move ahead .
“You all know me very well and I do not need any more introduction and you all know what I did as governor of Anambra state. Anambra is like Nigeria and anybody who is able to manage Anambra state can manage Nigeria and I am calling for your support and I have confidence in you all that you will support me.”
Earlier the Senator representing Anambra Central, Senator Uche Ekwunife, said those asking questions about which of the Igbo people are eligible to go for president are ignorant of the personality of Mr Peter Obi.
“When you go to the North they say that they are waiting for Igbos and the person is Peter Obi, you go to the West they say that they are waiting for Ndigbo and they are waiting for Peter Obi and you go to South South and they say they are waiting for Peter Obi.
“This is a good product and a good product need not so much stress to sell through and that is Peter Obi. And we in Igbo land have no choice but to support our brother because he is the next president of Nigeria; she said.
The Chairman of Anambra Traditional Rulers Council, the Obi of Onitsha who was represented by Igwe Emma Nnabuife of Okija community, stated that the entire monarchs have spoken that Peter Obi is our man for presidency .
We need no other person but him and the Igbos have endorsed Mr Peter Obi as our candidate and this is the turn of Ndigbo; he noted.
The high point of the occasion was the traditional prayers for his endorsement.
