2023: I’m Not Contesting Because It’s Ndigbo Turn – Peter Obi

2023: I’m Not Contesting Because It’s Ndigbo Turn – Peter Obi

By Ozumi Abdul

The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, (LP), Peter Obi has cleared the air regarding the rumour in some quarters that he is contesting in the 2023 presidential race because it’s the turn of the Igbos to produce the country’s next president.

The LP candidate said he is contesting to be the heir of President Buhari in the 2023 presidential race because he feels he possesses the capacity and passion the country need to move our of the sundry mires confronting her, while also exuding the confidence that he remains the best amongst other three presidential candidates.

He highlighted that the major cause of the critical challenges facing the country currently are insecurity, poverty, disunity amongst various tribes and unemployment.

The former Anambra State governor made the assertion on Tuesday while addressing traditional rulers of Anambra State at the Conference Hall of the Government House, Awka, as part of his campaign tour of the state.

Obi who earlier held a town hall meeting attended by members of the academia, students, traders, captains of industry, motor transport workers, etc, at the Stanel event centre along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway told traditional rulers that Niger and Borno states have vast fertile agricultural lands that if properly harnessed could feed the entire country and have excess for export pointing out that the Sambisa Forest “which today is being dreaded is over 60,000 kilometres”, adding that if turned into agriculture production and properly managed it can change the misfortune of the country occasioned by hunger.

He described oil subsidy as official corruption being perpetrated by top public officials arguing that Nigerians have never benefitted from the proceeds and promised to do away with it if he becomes president.

He said, “(Oil) subsidy is an organised official crime. An ordinary Nigerian has never benefitted from subsidy on oil.

“Our debt today is over N77 trillion. What have they used this for?”

He charged the traditional rulers to show interest in the choice of political leaders, particularly the person who would be elected president of the country on February 25.

He stated that if the traditional rulers across the country are carried along by the federal government and given the necessary logistics such as operational vehicles for crime fighting with proper funding to fight insecurity, the current level of insecurity will abate.

Obi vowed that with his running-mate, Dr Yusuf Datti-Ahmed he will transform Nigeria.

Earlier the chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe praised the leadership qualities of Peter Obi and expressed confidence in his capacity to lead the country out of its present challenges.

Also, the traditional ruler of Okpuno community, Awka South local government, Igwe S. I. Okafor stated that Obi’s records when he was governor in the state for eight years were clear testimonials that if given the mandate to preside over Nigeria as the president the country will experience change for the better.