Contrary to insinuations that South East leaders are opposed to the candidature of former Anambra state governor Mr. Peter Obi as the vice presidential flag bearer of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has debunked such rumours ,stating that the leaders are in total support.
Addressing journalists at Governor’s Lodge Aba during the visit of Mr Peter Obi, Governor Ikpeazu said the emergence of the former Anambra State Governor stems from his leadership qualities and integrity over the years, describing him as the man for the job.
He congratulated Obi on the opportunity to serve Nigeria and described him as a worthy son of Igbo land, a worthy Nigerian and one of the best Igboland can offer and a gift for Ndigbo
adding that it will be fool hardy for anybody not to support him.
In his words: “Mr Peter Obi is a gift to this country and his work and pedigree bears eloquent testimony to the Igbos. It will be fool hardy for anybody not to cue and support him so that he will continue to serve this country to the best of his ability.
“What the South East governor’s said was that we were expecting our candidate to return from his trip and hold a tete a’ tete which is at the instance of the candidate himself,and he promised that he was coming to speak to us.
“At no time did the governor’s and leadership of the ndigbo say that they are not happy”.
Ikpeazu described the choice of Atiku Abubakar as apt, especially with the level of jubilation that greeted his choice as the Vice presidential hopeful for the party.
Also speaking, the chairman,South East Caucus in the Senate,Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe said the whole national Assembly was behind Peter Obi,pointing out that at no time was there a problem with his nomination as vice presidential candidate.
He said that the country needs men whose yes will be yes and who Nigerians can cue behind to ensure that Nigeria recovers from dispondency.
Mr Obi while responding assured that the South East has never been divided and have always acted as a team.
Obi noted that he had consulted with all the Southeast Governors and stakeholders in the National Assembly with no one declining his candidature noting that at this point Nigeria needs a leader who will tackle the economic and security challenges confronting the nation.
