Africa
By Kennedy Nnamani
BARELY four days for Nigerians to go to the poll to vote for their next president for four years, Peter Obi, Labour Party’s Presidential candidate continues to receive endorsements from more prominent Nigerians, religious leaders, civil society groups and even political parties.
Realnews reports on Wednesday that the Imo Progressive Lawyers Association, IPLA, has adopted the candidacy of Peter Obi of the Labour Party, noting that the “tripartite ethos of Competence, Capacity, and Character echoed by many well-meaning Nigerians and popularized by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party” put him ahead of the other candidates.
Also, the National Christian Elders Forum, NCEF, led by a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Theophilus Danjuma and other elder statesmen, has endorsed Peter Obi for the poll slated for this weekend, The Oracle reported today, February 22.
Among the list of prominent Nigerians, who have pitched their tent with the candidacy of the Labour Party flag bearer include former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, leader of the Afenifere group, the apex Yoruba group, Edwin Clark, elder statesman and former federal commissioner for information, Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue state, Prof. Anya O. Anya, the pioneer director General of Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
Most of these political and social leaders believe that the presidency of Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed under the umbrella of the Labour Party would guarantee the unity, sustainable progress and development, which the country need at the moment.
According to Olusegun Obasanjo, Peter Obi has an edge over all the other contestants.
“One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost,” he said.
For Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the endorsement of Peter Obi is for constitutional, logical and equitable reasons.
Edwin Clark noted that Obi will unite the country with his move to restructure it, if he wins the presidential election.
In addition, Gov. Ortom of Benue state has also thrown his might to the capacity of the personality of Peter Obi, noting that he could even give up his senatorial ambition, if need be, just for Peter Obi to become the President.
Meanwhile, as these notable present and past political leaders are clamoring for the success of the Labour Party and its presidential candidate, some other Nigerians believe that Obi is a man of competence, character and capacity with track records.
Also supporting the candidacy of Obi-Datti ticket are some notable religious leaders. Among them are Pastor Paul Enenche; founder and Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Apostle Johnson Suleman; General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Pastor David Ibiyeomie of Salvation Ministries, Prophet Isa El-Buba; the president of EL-Buba Outreach Ministries, Int., Paul Adeolu Adefarasin; Prelate and Metropolitan Senior Pastor of the House on the Rock.
Aside from the various individuals, who have identified and adopted the Obi-Datti ticket, various groups have also pledged their support to the Labour Party’s candidate.
These groups include and not limited to the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, led by Bitrus Porgu, its president, Neo Africana Centre, Pan Niger Delta Forum led by Edwin Clark, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Coalition for good governance, Nigeria Presidential Project, The Economist, a London-based newspaper, Council Of Islamic Sheikhs For Good Governance, CISGG, and other Muslim leaders of affiliates groups, Democratic Leadership with its arrays of domestic and Diaspora resources, Northern Islamic Clerics among others.
While describing the personality of Peter Obi, Nigeria Presidential Project stated that he has demonstrated integrity, competence, good experience and capacity.
In addition, the Coalition for good governance says that Obi-Datti is the team to beat, while The Economist described him as the best choice for Nigeria.
As for the Council Of Islamic Sheikhs For Good Governance, CISGG, and other Muslim leaders of affiliates groups, Peter Obi is the best choice for our nation who has a proven track record of standing up for the rights of the marginalized and working tirelessly to improve the lives of all Nigerians.
For the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, he has the needed capacity and competence to rescue Nigeria from its current woes.
Also in the fight for winning the 2023 presidential poll for Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Ahmed under the Labour Party are other political parties, which have collapsed either completely or partially into the Labour Party.
Some of these parties include the National Conscience Party, NCP, whose national chairman, Dr Tanko Yinusa, promised to mobilise party members to secure the needed votes for Obi’s victory.
According to him, Peter Obi has all it takes to earn the trust and confidence of the NCP.
Peter Obi, who has been criticized by different opposition parties for not having structures, has miraculously proven to be a force to beat, following the mammoth support he has been enjoying in recent times from various individuals and groups in Nigeria, majority of which are youths.
KN
Tags: Datti Baba-Ahmed General Theophilus Danjuma Kennedy Nnamani Labour Party Pa Ayo Adebanjo Peter Obi President Olusegun Obasanjo
