Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, has declared his intention to contest the presidency in the 2023 general election.

He announced his decision on Thursday at a meeting with traditional rulers in Awka, the Anambra capital.

According to him, if given the opportunity, he will unite Nigeria and ensure steady inflow of investments into the country.

“We are too divided. I believe that the government I will lead will unite Nigeria. We need unity and peace for the progress of the country. I believe in Nigeria,” he said.

“We need security in order to attract local and foreign investments that will make Nigeria work. People need to live in a secured place.

“The government I will lead will manage Nigeria’s resources effectively and efficiently for production. The government will invest in critical areas of development, which are education, health and pulling people out of poverty in order to create jobs for our teeming youths.

“I have done a careful study of Nigeria and I can tell you that if I have the opportunity, I will turn around the country. And I’m using the example of what we have been able to do in Anambra state. There’s practically no difference between Anambra and Nigeria.

“What Nigeria needs are people with capacity, competence and willingness to manage the country’s resources efficiently. We want to move from consumption to production.

“I’m here to ask for your blessings and your support. I want to have a secured Borno state; I want to have Sokoto secured as I want Onitsha to be secured. I want people in Ibadan to see a Nigeria that is growing; I want people in Minna, Enugu to celebrate Nigeria.

“I’m not aspiring for political position, but to serve and start the reconstruction and rebuilding of Nigeria. Where we are today is unacceptable.”

Obi was vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election.