• LP is a good candidate for restructuring, module refineries, S’South devt, others
• ‘Why can’t anyone count the ideas that have come’
While the storm created by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter has not ended, the statement by the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, seems to increase the speed of the wind.
The elder statesman and Ijaw leader, yesterday, called on “Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic, religious and political background, to vote for Peter Obi without hesitation, because he is the best hope for a peaceful, stable and progressive Nigeria .”
Clark’s letter came almost three days after Obasanjo also endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labor Party (LP), saying: “When people compare their character, antecedents, understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality they can do. and the great effort required to stay focused on the job, especially, looking at the current state and with the work experience I have, Peter Obi, as a mentee, has an edge.
Clark Peter Obi’s endorsement, like Obasanjo’s, is expected to more rile other main presidential contenders, who can dismiss the development as inconsequential.
Earlier, the leader of the Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, also pitched his tent with Obi ahead of the general election.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, yesterday, Clark dismissed insinuations that he was waiting to cast his vote only after Obasanjo had endorsed the LP candidate.
The elder statesman noted that when he held a press conference for the purpose, last Friday, the death of the President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, George Obiozor, forced him to postpone the event.
He challenged those who doubt Obi’s ability to win the presidential election to wait and see what God will do. He rather asks rhetorically what the pessimist is God.
“Leave it to God. Nothing is impossible for God. You will be surprised tomorrow if Peter Obi is the President of the country,” Clark said in response to a question.
According to Clark, the road to the endorsement started after he directed a meeting between the national leadership of PANDEF and Obi, which was held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, on Friday, December 23, 2022.
He said the observations that followed “the successful results of the interaction” show that Peter Obi is committed to “restructuring and devolution of power (and) will promote harmony, peaceful coexistence between the country and the constituent parts of the country;
“His vision is to be more fair and just, because it is in the south-south region, which in the last 60 years has generated a lot of revenue for the national economy, but has been neglected with little impact in terms of infrastructure and social development. – convincing and commendable;
“(His) commitment to environmental justice, to clean up the polluted communities of the Niger Delta is most welcome, because even the Ogoni cleanup that is being done has been slow;
“The commitment to integrate qualified people from the Niger Delta in the national governance process in the future administration if elected to power is heartening;
“(His) unwavering commitment to the reactivation of our ports, the development of the Blue Economy and the maritime sector, and investment in the gas sector, developing modular refineries, is worthy of note.”
Consequently, Clark stated: “Because of his (Obi’s) good educational background, distinguished antecedents in his professional life and track record he is one of the most outstanding governors this country has ever produced during his tenure in Anambra State and his vision for the country and Niger. Delta in particular, Peter Obi is well qualified to lead this country as President.
“Taking all these factors, and putting Peter Obi together with all the other candidates presented by other political parties, I believe that our country, Nigeria, has a good chance of electing a phenomenal team, the candidate from the Labor Party, and his Deputy, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmad, as President and Vice President.
Meanwhile, the Labor Party, yesterday, described the presidential candidate as “an idea that has arrived” and therefore, cannot be confined.
The party described Obi as “phenomenal”, even as he lashed out at businessman, Chief Arthur Eze, over his recent comments about the aspirations of the LP candidate.
Eze had, last Monday, distanced himself from Obi’s ambitions, saying the former governor of Anambra State could not win votes in the south-west and the north.
LP National Deputy Chairman (southeast), Chief Innocent Okeke, in a statement, said the attack was an indication that Obi had something to offer.
In a related development, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on all Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) and vote for credible leaders in the upcoming elections.
The group, in a communique issued after a special extraordinary meeting of the Expanded General Purpose Committee (EGPC), in Abuja, said Nigerians should be free to vote for the best candidate and elect the one who will lead with fairness, justice and righteousness.
The communiqué, jointly signed by the Secretary General, NSCIA, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, and the Director of Administration, NSCIA, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, said there is an urgent need to elevate leadership in Nigeria beyond basic qualifications.
The group called on the Federal Government to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and credible general election in 2023 by providing the necessary environment through adequate voter mobilization and appropriate security measures.
However, it added: “Nigerians should go through a standard process to select not only eligible but also suitable candidates because the eligibility criteria are so broad that unfit people end up being chosen for positions of power.”