The former Governor of Anambra state and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice-presidental candidate during the 2019 elections, who is now a 2023 presidential hopeful under the PDP, Mr Peter Obi on Monday says his decision to join the presidential race is rooted in his strong conviction that he has what it takes to build a better Nigeria from the present state of hopelessness.
Mr Peter Obi while meeting with the Ogun State party delegates at its state secretariat in Abeokuta said the country is already tending towards a failed state and it therefore required having a competent and time tested hands to bring it back on track of economic prosperity as a nation that we all could be proud of.
He warned Nigerians to put the future of their children into consideration before electing another president in the 2023 elections.
Mr Obi said rather than playing cards of ethnicity, the PDP delegates at the primaries should consider voting for someone like him with past records of verifiable achievements and prudent management of resources during his eight years as the governor of Anambra State.
He said that he wasn’t only paying salaries as at when due but also settled over N33bn backlog of inherited pensions and gratuities and that while leaving office, he left N75bn in the coffers of the state.
Obi said “As we approach new elections in Nigeria, it is important we reflect what we are. Unexamined life is not worth living. We need to examine where our country is today. There is agitation everywhere. We have banditry, terrorism, these are culmination of leadership failure in Nigeria. Our country never look into the future and the consequences are what we are seeing today, it is a failure of not investing in the future. We must act now so that Nigeria will not collapse.
He asked Nigerians to do a thorough background check of the candidates so as not to put the country on another journey of pains and agony.
The former Anambra governor, said the agony of North East and North West of Nigeria is more reason he is contesting for president.
His words”Do not look at money or what people are saying, let’s change the country. I have seen the pains of people in the North East and North West. All these you hear is our elites and politics leaders conspiracy. Nigerians are one and they love each other.
“Our country has 33 percent of unemployment when you add underemployment, it’s about 65 percent and 60 percent of these are youths. Our youths in their productive age are doing nothing.
"Today our country is owing retirees pensions and gratuities. We must change this situation. Our universities are closed, about 16 million students out of school, unemployment amongst our Youths is the highest in the world.
“Think about the society your children will live, Anybody who comes here and say to you that he wants to be a President, ask, where was he 25 years ago and what has he done, where is he coming from, ask questions about his achievements in the past. Where have you work? which school did he go to, let us know how he manage public money that was given to him in past.
The party’s Governorship candidate in the state, Ladi Adebutu, Described obi as a credible, outstanding and responsible individual whom he said is capable for the job.
According to him “Peter Obi is very credible and outstanding, he is a responsible Presidential aspirant. APC is clueless, and Aimless. Infact, the Minister of communication is even tired of lying.
Obi’s presidential campaign team was led by the former presidential Spokesman, Dr Doyin Okupe. Others at the event were the Chairman of the PDP in the State, Alhaji Sikirulai Ogundele, Chief Kolapo Ogunjobi, Chairman, Ogun PDP Elders Forum, Aare Tunde Alabi and Chief Mrs Ojaronke Ogunremi among others.
Obi had on March 23rd formerly declared his interest to run the 2023 Presidential race when he met some traditional rulers in Anambra state.
