The Presidential Aspirant of the People Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, over the weekend, says he is likely to emerge as the party’s consensus candidate for the election.
He added that he possessed the capacity to address the present harsh economic conditions confronting the country. He also appealled to the National leadership of the party, his co-aspirants and other concerned PDP supporters to consider him for the party’s ticket for the sake of equity and fairness.
Obi, disclosed this while speaking to Journalists, at his GRA residence in Onitsha on Friday night, shortly after he received the 2023 PDP Presidential Nomination/Expression of Interest form, purchased for him by a group called “Young Professionals” to support his aspiration
Speaking further, Obi, said he should be considered as the consensus option, because, since the return of Democracy in Nigeria, only late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, from the Igbo extraction has contested the party Presidential primaries with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in 1999 and lost.
“From 2003-2019, no person like me from the South East Nigeria, under PDP has aspired for the position again. My first outing in 2019 was to vice for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. So I urge the party leadership to put this into consideration and make me it consensus candidate for the February 18, 2023 Presidential election,” Obi said.
However, he expressed confidence that he would be in pole position to clinch the presidential ticket of the party in a free and fair primaries, if the option of consensus arrangement for him did not come in place.
While thanking the group for the support, Obi, assured them of his commitment to the future of Nigeria’s youths while expressing confidence ion turning the security challenges of the nation around.
The National Convener of Young Professionals, Mr. Daniel Robert, from Warri, Delta State, who presented the form to the candidate, on behalf of the group, said the former Anambra State Governor, met the criteria used in the choice of a Nigeria presidential candidate for the group.
The Convener said the group, an umbrella body of all registered Professional bodies in Nigeria; comprises of Medical Doctors, Engineers, Entertainers, Legal Practitioners, Media, among others in alliance arrived at the decision based on Peter Obi’s experience in administration, management of the economy and politics to support his aspiration. Senator Uche Ekwunife, Hon. Sam Awaso, former Anambra State PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Valentine Ozigbo, Barrister John Okoli Akirika, among other party supporters were in attendance.