Victor EzejaAs the call for zoning Nigeria’s Presidential seat to the South-east continues ahead of the 2023 election, former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi says the region is asking for an opportunity to lead Nigeria, and are not settling for the slot of vice president.
Obi, who has declared interest to contest for the presidential post in 2023 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), gave the indication on Sunday evening, 10 April 2022 at Channels TV Sunday Politics talk show.
The former governor who was the PDP Vice presidential candidate in 2019, explained that the goal of the Southeast aspirants and the entire region is to get the ticket and eventually have a shot at the Presidency to contribute to the development of the country.
He said, “Nobody enters a competition accepting to be second or third. We are in the race to win, not there because we want to negotiate for this or that.”
Obi had, on Saturday in Abuja met with other Southeast PDP presidential aspirants, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, and Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, where they collectively demanded that the seat be zoned to the region based on fairness, equity, justice and love for each zone.
“In a multi-ethnic state, what you need for inclusiveness is to ensure fairness, equity, and love of each other. That is even enshrined in our constitution,” Obi stated.
He further noted that they were only making a humble appeal for the position to be zoned to the area, adding that politics is all about consultation and negotiation to be given an opportunity to work for the common good of the people.
Responding to a question on whether they intend to produce a consensus candidate from among them, Obi said they only agreed to work together for now but have not reached that stage.
He stated that the biggest problem in Nigeria is the failure of leadership which has largely remained responsible for underdevelopment in the country.
READ ALSO: 2023: Heal Wounds Of Marginalization By Zoning Presidency To Southeast, Nwodo Tells FG
He added that what we are seeing today in different sectors is a cumulative effect of poor leadership. This he argued, has led to insecurity, bad economy, poor education, electricity crisis, and a lack of national cohesion.
“What we are experiencing now is a cumulative effect of leadership failure; leadership failure over the years.
“What Nigerians need to see is a leader who has competence, capacity to genuinely start tackling the innermost problems affecting our country.”
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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