NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA, IGBO GROUPS, STAKEHOLDERS HAIL ATIKU FOR PICKING RUNNING MATE FROM SOUTH EAST

Prominent stakeholders Friday lauded the choice of former Anambra state governor, Peter Obi as running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 general elections.

NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA has congratulated the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, for picking the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, as his running mate.

A leading pan-Igbo organisation, Igbo Bu Ogbo Sociocultural Foundation (IBI) also hailed the presidential flag-bearer for picking his running mate from the south-eastern part of the country.

On their own part, Igbo Progressives say “this choice is a masterstroke! With the connection of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the cerebral capacity of Mr Obi, our nation shall be re-positioned again.”

The main opposition challenger to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in next year’s elections selected a former governor from the southeast of the country to be his running mate, the candidate’s spokesman said on Friday.

Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president who will stand as the candidate for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 2019 vote, chose Peter Obi, formerly governor of the South-Eastern state of Anambra.

Stakeholders react

In a press release signed by DG Nigerians in Diaspora, he said he was confident of a landslide victory for the PDP, and the Atiku/ Obi rescue mission.

“Congratulations to the PDP family, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Mr Peter Obi, Atikulated Agenda and Nigerians.

He expressed confidence that the pair have the needed capacity to defeat the failed APC government.

He further urged Nigerians to unite in the cause of making Nigeria great again.

In a statement released on Friday evening in Abuja, the nation’s capital, signed by Dr. Law Mefor and Chidi Omeje, Chancellor and Secretary respectively, Igbo Bu Igbo noted that the Southeast parades an array of eminently qualified men and women who could be vice president of the country and make the needed difference.

Describing the choice of former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, as the right one, the organisation noted: “The country is in a dire need of self-rediscovery, unity and economic revitalisation. The situation calls for a president and a vice with track records of achievements, astute leadership capabilities and bridge building capacity to bring divergent parts of the country back working together again.”

“The nation needs to urgently industrialise and develop, create jobs for the teeming unemployed youths and give hope to Africa and the Black race at large. An Igbo Vice President will surely help to get the nation on the path of development, industrialisation and job creation.

A southeast Vice President will also be a fitting reward for the steadfastness and commitment of the zone to the Peoples Democratic Party despite all the odds,” the statement added.

Elombah News reports that Atiku’s choice points to a bid to generate support in the southeast, where Buhari has polled badly in past elections and cracked down on secessionists by deploying troops on the streets. Geographical affiliations are crucial in a nation of 190 million people from 250 ethnic groups.

“Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi is the vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party,” Abubakar’s spokesman said in text message.

Obi is a Great Choice – Ezeife

Reacting to the development on Friday, former governor of Anambra state, Chukwuemeka Ezeife described the choice of Obi as great, adding that he was not wasteful in the management of resources while serving as governor.

“Peter is a great choice. He brings his business intelligence into governance. He is not corrupt and as a governor, he was not wasteful. I must say that I am very happy,” he said.

Obi good for national unity – PDP chieftain

On his part, National Vice Chairman (South) of the PDP, Eddy Olafeso told journalists that Obi’s success story as a businessman would help in reviving the nation’s economy upon the victory of the PDP.

“As a National Vice Chairman of the party, I hail the decision to pick Peter Obi as running mate to our Presidential candidate.

The decision to pick him is based on his outstanding performance as governor of Anambra state. He is a successful businessman and we expect his experience to translates into good governance for our nation,” said Olafeso

Obi had a background in business prior to entering politics. Abubakar has long enjoyed support from Nigeria’s business elite and as vice president from 1999-2007 implemented a liberalisation programme in areas such as the telecoms sector.

Buhari’s handling of one of Africa’s biggest economies since taking office in 2015 has already become a campaign issue. The country emerged in 2017 from its first recession in 25 years but economic growth remains sluggish and inflation is above the central bank’s single-digit target.

Atiku settled for the soft-spoken businessman cum politician after the two met behind closed doors in the Asokoro, Abuja residence of the ex- number two citizen.