Obasanjo says Peter Obi has an edge over all the other leading presidential candidates

FORMER president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has officially endorsed the ex-Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Labour Party Peter Obi as his preferred choice during the forthcoming 2023 presidential elections.

In February, Nigerians go to the polls, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) selecting former Lagos State governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as its candidate and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) going for former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. There are two other main contenders in the race too as Governor Obi is standing as the Labour Party candidate and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso is running as the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) candidate.

Earlier today, in his New Year message, Chief Obasanjo, who presided over Nigeria's affairs between 1999 and 2007, said that Governor Obi was her preferred choice of the quartet. According to Chief Obasanjo, Governor Obi has the edge over every other candidate in the race, as among other things, he has people to call him to order when there is the need for it.

Chief Obasanjo said: “None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job, particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge. Others like all of us have what they can collectively contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria.

“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. In other words, he has people who can pull his ears, if and when necessary. He has a young and able running mate with a clean track record of achievement both in public and private life.

“I am constrained to write this letter to all Nigerians especially young Nigerians, friends of Nigeria globally as well as our development partners because of the gravity, responsibility and implications of the collective decision Nigerians, both young and old, will be making within the next two months. The last seven and a half years have no doubt been eventful and stressful years for many Nigerians as we have moved from frying pan to fire and from mountain top to the valley.

“Our leaders have done their best but their best had turned out to be not the best for Nigeria and Nigerians at home and abroad. For most Nigerians, it was hell on earth. Those of us who are alive should thank God for His mercies, brace ourselves for the remaining few months of this administration and pray and work very hard for an immediate better future, future of liberation, restoration and great hope and expectation.

“We have had campaigners going up and down the country feeding us with what they mean and what they do not mean, what they understand and what they do not fully understand, what is possible and what is not possible, what is realistic and what is unrealistic, what is true and what is untrue. I believe that we need not be confused nor be gullible. Let us be cautious, not to be fooled again.

“I have interacted with the major contestants and I find it interesting that, in one form or the other, each of them claims to want to do what I did during my presidency and to take Nigeria back to where it was at the height of my presidency and immediately after. I was pained that most of them do not realise that the Nigeria of today had been dragged down well below Nigeria of the beginning of my presidency in June 1999."