The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Peter Obi

  • Peter Obi: “Obi-dients” have a well coordinated online campaign but…- Jibrin

    Peter Obi: “Obi-dients” have a well coordinated online campaign but…- Jibrin

    A member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Abdulmumin Jibrin, on Monday underrated the chances of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in the 2023 general elections.

    The former House of Representatives member, via his verified Twitter handle, lampooned Obi’s supporters for being fixated only on online campaigns.

    He also hinted at their inability to replicate their online energy offline, accusing them of being aggressive and abusive.

    The tweet read: “You have to give it to Obidients for a well coordinated online campaign. If they could replicate a verifiable 1% of such campaign offline, abuse less and share just few achievements of Peter Obi viz Infrastructure, Education, health, housing and new cities etc, they may have a chance.”

    Jibrin had in several interviews canvassed support for former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwanso, stressing his capacity to rule Nigeria.

    He noted that a Kwankwanso-Obi joint ticket would boost the chances of the South-East for presidency in the coming years.

    Jibrin said the region had been backstabbed by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and frontstabbed by People’s Democratic Party (PDP), adding that it would be an opportunity for them to aligh with NNPP candidate.

    (Ripples)

  • 2023: Peter Obi’s chances bright – Igbo leaders

    2023: Peter Obi’s chances bright – Igbo leaders

    In the South East and in many other parts of Nigeria, the presidential aspiration of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi is arguably becoming a religion and residents of the region are not making pretences about it. The Obi gospel is spreading like wildfire and is propelled with Pentecostal zeal. Not a few see him as the surest foot for the South East Presidency project.

    Endorsing the Labour Party flag bearer, first civilian Governor of Enugu State and onetime National Chairman of PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo said that he is a credible alternative in the face of how the APC and PDP treated the South East in their just concluded conventions.

    Nwodo said: “Igbo will not remain political slaves serving other geo-political zones in Nigeria. I know that politics is dynamic. This is a period of political alignment and re-alignment for the Igbo politicians so that our common interest can see the light of the day.”

    Secretary of the Chukwuemeka Ezeife-led Igbo Elders Consultative Forum (IECF), Prof Charlie Nwekeaku told Saturday Sun that South East people would vote massively for any party that gave its ticket to the zone, particularly Obi’s Labour Party.

    Like Nwodo, he assured that the pursuit of the presidency by the South East was still on. “We still have a window to pursue that cause,” he said.

    “However, the unexpected emergence of Mr Peter Obi as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party has brought a new dimension in Nigeria politics. He is a candidate that gained immediate national and to some extent international acceptance,” Okeke-Ogene said.

    In the same vein, former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, in an interview with BBC Igbo service, said that he was deeply pained by Obi’s exit from his party.

    This, according to him, Obi was an asset to the party. In fact, he said that the PDP was still mourning Obi’s exit. He said that anybody saying that the party leadership was not regretting losing Obi was not being truthful.

    Ever since the Labour Party became very popular as a result of Obi’s emergence as its standard bearer, there has been a gale of defections from other political parties into it, particularly from the APC and PDP.

    The PDP senator, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, who represents Imo East Senatorial District, has dumped the party for the Labour Party.

    In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, conveying his decision to resign his membership of the PDP to join the Labour Party, Onyewuchi said: “This is after due consultation with my family, constituents and supporters. This will enable me to participate fully in the movement for a new Nigeria.”

    Similarly, members of the APC and the PDP in Imo North Senatorial District of Imo State recently collapsed their structures into the Labour Party and pledged their loyalty and support to its presidential candidate, Obi.

    A former Deputy Chief of Staff to an ex-governor of Imo State, Chikwem Onuoha, said that the decision was reached after an investigation showed that Obi was the best presidential material among the contestants

    “Today, the APC and the PDP are dead in Okigwe Zone. We have resolved to collapse our structures in the zone into the Labour Party and to work for the victory of Peter Obi because he symbolises the hope of the ordinary people of Nigeria.

    President General of the Okigwe North Youth Progressives Forum, Chidinma Onyenagubo, said that his group was mobilising people to obtain their PVCs to vote for LP in 2023.

    In Enugu State, the story is the same. Members of some other parties particularly the PDP and the APC have reportedly started pitching their tents with the Labour Party.

    In Oji River Local Government Area of the state, the party’s state Chairman, Ginger Ibeneme II, said that over 1,000 members of the APC and the PDP were set to join the party at the local government level.

    (Sun)

  • Press Release: I Never Attacked Peter Obi- Ekweremadu

    Press Release: I Never Attacked Peter Obi- Ekweremadu

    Press Release: I Never Attacked Peter Obi- Ekweremadu

    Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, says at no time did he attack the former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, asking the public to discountenance such reports as the work of mischief-makers, who deliberately twisted his innocuous statement out of context.

    Ekweremadu said he had no reason whatsoever to attack Obi’s ambition, noting that they enjoyed good relationship as brothers and friends, who were both entitled to the political opinions and pursuits.

    He was reacting to a news story, which he said that Ndigbo “would never vote for Peter Obi”, describing it as political mischief.

    He said: “My attention has been drawn to the work of mischief makers, who claimed that I attacked my friend and brother, Mr. Peter Obi, over his presidential ambition. This is far from the truth, as there was no reason to do so in the first place. We are both adults and entitled to our respective political pursuits and inclinations.

    “I have also read a statement by one Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, gloating over the unfortunate attack on my person when I spent several days in Germany a few years ago at my personal cost to meet with several foreign investors for the betterment of Igboland at the invitation of Ndigbo in Germany and with the full knowledge of several Igbo Governors and leaders.

    “I have also read his wild insinuations and misrepresentations of my person over my political dispositions, when in actual sense I have stuck out my neck in defence of Igbo interest on a good number of occasions.

    “Where was he when in 2007 I led South East Senators to negotiate the release of the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike from detention?

    “Where was he when I took the necessary steps, including galvernising the South East Senate Caucus and notable Ndigbo to see to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu?

    “Where was he was when I was the only Igbo man to do an open and well-publicised letter, “Rising Tension in the South East: Re: Appeal to Call Off Operation Egwu Eke”, dated 14th September 2017, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to end the Python Dance after my quiet interventions failed?

    “Where was he when I galvernised the South East Caucus of the National Assembly yet again towards finding political solution to the current incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and also led some Igbo leaders, including former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Okey Emuchay; and Co-Chair, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, to meet with him in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS) in January 2022?

    “I urge Ndigbo and Nigerians to be very discerning and reticent in political seasons like this when many are out to do mischief and make political capital out of every situation at all cost”.

    Ekweremadu, however, said he was happy that most Ndigbo and leaders appreciate his quiet efforts, adding that he would never be discouraged by the ingratitude and mischief of a few.

    ENDS

    Uche Anichukwu
    Media Adviser to Sen. Ike Ekweremadu
    Former Deputy President of the Senate (18/06/2022)

  • LP debunks rumor, affirms Peter Obi as Presidential candidate

    LP debunks rumor, affirms Peter Obi as Presidential candidate

    Labour Party, yesterday, debunked rumour making the round that it conducted parallel Presidential primaries that produced a factional Presidential candidate, in the person of one Samson Uchenna.

    The party, in a statement issued by the Acting National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi Oluwafemi and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, noted that the party never had parallel primaries.

    Arabambi argued that though Uchenna was a Presidential aspirant on the platform of Labour Party, he withdrew his nominations to support Mr Peter Obi voluntarily.

    The statement read: “the attention of Labour Party has been drawn to the criminal activities of PDP Vanguard against the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi by falsely claiming that our former presidential aspirant by the name, Samson Uchenna has emerged as a factional presidential candidate on the platform of Labour Party.

    “Labour Party here states categorically that this Samson Uchenna is not in anyway our Party’s presidential candidate. He is an aspirant on the platform of Labour Party who withdrew his nominations to support Mr Peter Obi voluntarily.

    “The @PDPVanguard as an agent of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is hereby advised to stay on the path of professionalism and avoid taking sides with faceless people who have no bearing with the legitimate political activities of the Labour Party (LP) on very weight issues as the transparently free, democratically credible, free and fair presidential primaries that brought in Peter Gregory Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State as the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the May 30, 2022 primaries that took place in Asaba, the Delta State capital in South South Nigeria.

    “Labour Party wishes to commend the sportsmanship of Sampson Uchenna Charles who was one of the four Presidential aspirants that voluntarily stepped down thereby paving the way for Peter Obi as the sole aspirant culminating in his emergence as the Labour Party’s sole 2023 presidential candidate”.

    Labour Party therefore challenged the PDP Vanguard to provide details of venue and date of the convention that produced Samson Uchenna and whether it was supervised by the INEC.

    “We in Labour Party are aware that this is a mere rubbish being pushed by the jinxed opposition with the knowledge and acknowledged bias for nauseating and baseless internet misinformation. It is highly unethical and despicable.

    “We happen to know that the PDP Vanguard who did author the criminal lies is aware and it knows beyond all doubts that it is the same PDP that has destroyed the economy of this country in the past 16years.

    “It is very understandable that the PDP with the liability of their party candidate as represented should be jittery because of the emergence of the new sheriff in town Peter Obi on the platform of Labour Party with records of good and undisputed records of fine governance”.

    (Vanguard)

  • (Analysis) 2023: How far can Obi go with LP ticket?

    (Analysis) 2023: How far can Obi go with LP ticket?

    LESS than one week after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday, won the Labour Party, LP, presidential ticket in style.

    He joined the workers’ party, on Friday, exactly 48 hours to the primaries held in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

    For the Presidency in 2023, Obi, who was the PDP vice presidential candidate in 2019 to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has now been handed electoral boxing gloves to face Atiku, who on Saturday picked the PDP ticket for the second time in four years.

    Apart from Atiku and the PDP, the former Anambra State governor will also face a contender from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and others.

    Hailed as Mr. Prudent by his admirers, Obi said he would repeat what he did in Anambra at the national level.

    According to him, massive investment in power, and education and creation of employment opportunities will help in combating insecurity.

    Lofty plans! Will Obi realise his presidential quest on the banner of the Labour Party? This is the question on the lips of many observers.

    However, proponents of the Third Force Movement, which LP is part of are eyeing a coalition of nine of the 18 registered political parties and other groups ahead of the 2023 general polls.

    The push is to give the Nigerian electorate a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and the main opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP, one of the leaders, told Vanguard.

    National Chairman of the Labour Party, Comrade Julius Abure, said Obi’s entry into LP shows that a credible alternative to APC and PDP will win the 2023 polls.

    His words: “The Labour Party, the official political platform of the working people of Nigeria, wishes to formally and warmly welcome Peter Obi, his campaign organisation and teeming supporters nationwide into our grand coalition of the progressives and leaders of conscience set to rescue and take back Nigeria by 2023.

    “The grand entrance of Peter Obi and the mass movement of his teeming supporters and followers nationwide, who are still trooping into the Labour Party, confirms to the whole world that the 2023 election is as good as won by our credible political alternatives to the ruling APC and PDP, especially with the growing backing of the Nigerian people, who are already extremely tired of the mal-administration of APC and PDP governments at all levels.

    “We wish to invite all well-meaning Nigerians, including women, youths, physically challenged, the poor and the well to do, among others to immediately join forces with the Labour Party to rescue Nigeria from the heightening insecurity and imminent collapse foisted by incompetent rulers of Nigeria, currently trading in Delegates all over the country.

    “The Party also wishes to reaffirm our resolved commitment to executing our party manifesto, as further enunciated by the Labour Charter of Demand/ Policy recently initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, while also reaffirming our unwavering endorsement of the Rescue Agenda of the Third Force Movement of Nigeria initiated by the Prof Pat Utomi-led National Consultative Front, NCFront, which recently adopted our party of mass productivity as the ‘Third Force’ Mega ‘Rescue’ platform for Nigeria in the 2023 elections with over 20 million membership of the Third Force Movement joining the Labour Party.”

    (Vanguard)

  • Peter Obi outlines rescue plans for Nigeria

    Peter Obi outlines rescue plans for Nigeria

    Few days after his resignation from the People Democratic Party (PDP), former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday, emerged presidential candidate of the Labour Party.

    Obi, the PDP vice presidential candidate in the 2019 election, polled 96 delegates votes out of the 98 votes cast to win the primary in Asaba, Delta State.

    Returning officer and chairman of the seven-member election committee, Usman Aliu Abdulahi, said 104 delegates were accredited for the exercise and that Prof. Pat Utomi who had stepped down for Mr. Obi polled one vote while one invalid vote was recorded.

    “Having satisfied all the requirements and having scored the highest number of votes, I hereby declare Mr. Peter Obi as the presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party,” he said.

    Obi thanked the leadership of the party and delegates for electing him, adding, however, that the task to rebuild Nigeria was the responsibility of all.

    He charged party faithful to comb all nooks and crannies of the country to bring out the votes during the presidential election. He blamed Nigeria’s problem on failure of leadership.

    “I have got a simple mission, Nigeria is not a productive country. I just want to remove it from consumption, from sharing to production. If you listen carefully, you hear people talk about 100 million living in poverty. Why do we have insecurity as a problem? The number one to fight insecurity is to pull people out of poverty. When you have over 20 million out of school, then we have a problem, we will invest in education.”

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has assured Nigerians that the victory of Labour Party in Australia last week would be replicated in Nigeria in 2023.

    It warned politicians running to the party for endorsements that the party would not compromise or lower its standard to accommodate them.

    The NLC stated this against the backdrop of the party’s National Convention.

    NLC President, Ayuba Wabba commended the leadership led by Julius Abure, former trade union leader, for working with the leadership of the union to reposition the political party.

    “Millions of Nigerian workers and pensioners are latching on the new vigour and vision of Labour Party to take ownership of the long-suspended delivery of the Nigeria of our collective dreams. Such dreams are epitomised by the success of the Labour Party in different parts of the world. A few days ago, the Labour Party in Australia was overwhelmingly voted into power as Australians yearned for major reforms that would deliver a country that works for all.”

    Wabba enjoined Nigerian youths to continue to identify with the Labour Party and adopt the party fully as their own, noting that the job of unseating and retiring deadwood politicians whose worldview of politics is self-service and nepotism has begun in full earnest.

    (Sun)

  • Integrity is about public funds management – Obi

    Integrity is about public funds management – Obi

    A former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has replied Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State over the latter’s criticism of his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Obi, while faulting Wike for questioning his loyalty and integrity to the PDP, stated that integrity was about prudent management of public resources and not membership of a political party.

    Wike had on Thursday taken a swipe at Obi for quitting the PDP few days to the presidential primary of the opposition party.

    Wike, who is running for president on the platform of the PDP where Obi was also an aspirant, had said the ex-Anambra governor had not won an election since he left the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

    Wike had said, “It is not surprising to me. Peter Obi leaving the party is not surprising to me. I know and he knows that there was no way he would have won the presidential primary. The issue is that there must be integrity, there must be character. How can a man who had gone to all the states to tell them how he had been a trader, how his family has been trading, how everybody should support him, how he wore one (pair of) shoe(s), how he did not allow anybody to carry his bag, and all those things…three days to the primaries, he said he had left the party. Integrity…character is very important in whatever you are doing.”

    Replying Wike on the same programme on Friday, Obi, who had earlier dodged a question seeking his reaction, said nobody could question his loyalty to the PDP while in the party.

    “I don’t know how that one came in but I think when we talk about integrity, we are talking about integrity in management of public resources. That is what we should be talking about in this country. And when such things are mentioned about me, I feel maybe there is something missing somehow. Go and check my records as a governor.”

    “I have moved on to where the process might allow me,” he added.

    (Punch)

  • 2023 Presidency: Why Peter Obi defected (see letter)

    Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, yesterday, announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He also pulled out from the 2023 presidential contest on the platform of the main opposition party.

    Obi, who was one of the 15 aspirants cleared to participate in the May 28 and 29 presidential primary, attributed his decision on recent developments in the party.

    The former governor, in a letter, dated May 24 and addressed to the National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, said he has conveyed his resignation to chairman of the party in Agulu Ward 2, in Anambra State.

    It read: “I am writing to intimate you of my resignation from PDP, which was conveyed to the Chairman of Agulu Ward 2. Anaocha council, Anambra, effective Friday 20 May, 2022. Consequently, I am by this letter informing you of my withdrawal for the PDP presidential primaries.

    “It has been a great honour to contribute to nation-building efforts through our party. Unfortunately, recent developments within our party make it practically impossible to continue participating and making such constructive contributions.

    “Our national challenges are deep-seated and require that we each make profound sacrifices towards rescuing our country. My commitment to rescuing Nigeria remains firm, even if the route differs.

    “I wish to thank you personally for your graciousness and leadership. I wish you well and best of luck in the service of country,” Obi said in the letter.

    However, Director General of the Peter Obi Campaign Organisation, Doyin Okupe, said the former governor would actualise his presidential ambition on the platform of another party.

    Nevertheless, Okupe, who spoke with newsmen, after submitting Obi’s resignation letter at the PDP national secretariat, did not disclose the new party the former governor is moving to.

    He said: You recall that consistently, former governor Obi has repeatedly stated that his not desperate to be president, but he is desperate to cause a change, to cause a redirection to change the way the government of Nigeria is been run.

    “And to offer solutions to various problems of Nigeria, it is for these reasons he entered into the race. But the various development within the PDP makes it virtually impossible for him.

    “This is not to say that all hopes are lost. I can say on his behalf that Nigerians must not give up, we must never give up. Hope is on its way and help is coming.”

    Okupe, while responding to questions on Obi next political move, stated that “all options are on the table. By the grace of Almighty God, Obi will be on the ballot for the 2023 presidency.”

    A source said the former governor was leaving the PDP for the Labour Party while another said he was go to the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

    (Sun)

  • How I intend to fight corruption if elected – Peter Obi

    How I intend to fight corruption if elected – Peter Obi

    A presidential aspirant under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, has promised to introduce the approach he used to fight corruption when he was governor of Anambra State if elected president.

    Speaking during a meeting with PDP stakeholders in Osogbo, Osun State, he maintained that integrity should be the major consideration in deciding on a candidate to vote for.

    “Fighting corruption is easy. If you the principal is not stealing, your wife is not stealing, your family is not stealing, you will reduce corruption by a 70percent.

    “Let people come and show you where Anambra money is missing. I couldn’t have left over N75 billion when I can steal it. I told my family that they should not come. No piece of land was given to anybody. You have Innoson motors today because I supported him. I went to his company and I paid for 1,000 vehicles all front.

    “Our country is going through a difficult time, our children are no longer in school, many people are jobless, especially youths, the young ones. We need to have a productive society and start creating jobs for the young ones in their productive age.

    “When you go to vote, look at the future of the community you want your children to live in. If you want them to live in a good society, you don’t mind about the money people are going to give you. Vote for a candidate that has the capacity, that is competent so that we can have a country we will all be proud of.”

    Earlier in Akure, Ondo State in the course of his consultation process with PDP stakeholders, he had identified rising spate of insecurity as a major challenge to Nigeria’s development.

    He said the troubling situation can be brought under control if the youths were gainfully employed and the security agencies adequately mobilised to do their work.

    He tasked Ondo PDP delegates to the forthcoming national convention of the party to make the interest of Nigerians paramount in deciding who to elect as the party’s flag bearer. He called for unity among the PDP family in the face of the task ahead.

    Obi regretted the crippling poverty in the country, stressing that Nigeria has more poor people than the figure in China and India combined.

    He identified the dwindling Per Capita income to Nigerians in relation to the rising population, as a major sign of crisis, adding that if nothing is done urgently, the nation may face greater challenges in the future.

    (Sun)

  • We must salvage Nigeria or perish, Obi warns

    We must salvage Nigeria or perish, Obi warns

    Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PPD) presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, has observed that unless critical decisions and actions are taken by Nigerians, the country is headed for a deep crisis.

    He made the observation during a meeting with Ekiti State PDP stakeholders and delegates, yesterday, in the course of his consultation processes on the need to choose the right candidate for the party.

    He noted that the economic crisis besetting Nigeria is humongous, warning that the country may go under if not properly managed and decried the high level of insecurity in the country, attributing it to the poor state of economy

    The former governor lamented the high rate of unemployment, unstable education sector and deplorable infrastructure in the country and remarked that the challenge is how to pull the country out of its current crisis. He bemoaned the high incidence of borrowing by the country, without much to show for it.

    He vowed that his commitment is to move Nigeria from a consumer society to a productive nation. The first step in this regard, he said, is to cut the cost of governance.

    Obi asked Ekiti delegates not to be swayed by material or primordial considerations at the national convention but do due diligence on those seeking their votes to know if they have the capacity and vision for the job. He warned that Nigeria would continue to lose with the present sharing culture, adding that his mission is to halt the trend.

    In his address, state Chairman of the party, Lanre Omolase, lauded Obi for the good record he set while as governor of Anambra State. He described Obi as one of the best the party can offer for the presidency.

    Earlier, the former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, had met with Obi where they discussed many challenges faPresident Muhammadu Buhari has described the explosion that rocked an illegal crude oil refinery in Abaezi forest in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State as a national disaster,.

    He, therefore, directed the armed forces, security and intelligence agencies to intensify clampdown on illegal refineries following reported deaths of tens of people in the disaster.

    According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari said responsibility for the loss of lives and property must squarely lie with the sponsors of the illegal refinery, “who must all be caught and made to face justice.”

    Conveying his condolences and the full depth and range of the nation’s shock and trauma, to the families of the victims, the Ohaji Egbema community, and the government and people of Imo State, the president urged community leaders, the police, and the secret service not to allow occurrence of the heart-breaking incident in any part of the country again.cing the nation.

    (Sun)

  • 2023 Presidency: Group urges Atiku to drop his ambition, support Peter Obi

    2023 Presidency: Group urges Atiku to drop his ambition, support Peter Obi

    The Peter Obi Support Network has asked former Vice President Abubakar Atiku to drop his ambition to contest the 2023 presidential election and support another candidate and former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.

    Both Atiku and Obi are contesting the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential ticket.

    In a message to Atiku dated April 19, 2022 and made available to our correspondent, the group said it was in the interest of equity, justice and fairness.

    The message was signed by the group’s Media and Communications Committee members, namely: Prince Emeka Kalu, Alhaji Kabir Garba, Adigun Makanjuola, Mr Marcel Ngogbehei and Comrade Sani Saeed Altukry.

    The group said stepping down and supporting Obi would not only save the PDP and Nigeria, but also ensure that the Atiku/Obi ticket of 2019, which Nigerians missed, was returned to power in 2023 and ensure that their lofty manifesto was implemented for the benefit of all.

    According to the group, the country as of today was in an extreme crisis, and it was at times like this that history and posterity recorded its greatest heroes and heroines.

    It said the reasonable implication is that after eight years of the rule of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), the presidency should rotate to the South in 2023.

    It called on Nigerians not to repeat the mistakes of 2015, adding that nobody should wish Nigerians another eight years of bad governance.

    The group noted that if the PDP conceded its ticket to the South-East, it would be sending a message that would drown the APC.

    The statement read in part, “We write on behalf of millions of our members across Nigeria to call on you, our Party Leader, H.E Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (GCON), to seize the moment and show again the leadership you ably demonstrated in 2019 when you rose above primordial considerations to choose Mr. Peter Obi as the PDP Vice-Presidential Candidate; an action that got the entire country ‘Atikulated & Obligated.’

    “The Atiku/Obi 2019 ticket has gone down in history as Nigeria’s most inspiring presidential ticket of all time, which in our view was an unfairly denied victory.

    “Regardless of the foregoing, our relationship with you will last forever; and for the record, all of us in POSN were Atikulated & Obligated in 2019. Hence, for us, you are part and indeed the head of our family.

    “As you are aware, Nigeria had President Olusegun Obasanjo (Southwest, 1999–2007) and President Goodluck Jonathan (South-south, 2010–2015), leaving the South-East outstanding.

    “The All Progressives Congress has zoned its 2023 presidential ticket to the South; therefore, the PDP has no reason not to follow suit as a matter of law. To do otherwise will mean working against equity and fairness and inviting avoidable litigation and possible truncation of the PDP’s participation in the 2023 presidential election, which will give the APC a ‘walk-over-victory.’

    “Stepping down and supporting Peter Obi will not only save the PDP and Nigeria, but also ensure that the Atiku/Obi ticket of 2019, which Nigerians so dearly missed, is returned to power in 2023 and ensure that their lofty manifesto is implemented for the benefit of all.”

    (Sun)