Victor Ezeja
Mr. Peter Obi , former governor and Nigeria’s 2023 presidency hopeful, has decried the country’s poor state of governance. He notes that political leaders, who should be responsible for building and managing the economy, are busy spending taxpayers’ money in dollars to buy delegates’ votes at party primaries in the hope of winning the 2023 elections.
Obi stated while delivering his acceptance as presidential candidate of the Labour Party, a party he joined late last week after announcing his resignation as member and presidential aspirant from Nigeria’s main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on vote buying allegations.
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Obi emerged candidate of the LP at a national convention of the party held in Asaba on Monday. He had Professor of Political Economy, Prof. Pat Utomi and one other presidential aspirant stepping down and endorsing his candidacy.
He thanked Nigerians especially, members of the Labour Party, other stakeholders and groups for endorsing his candidacy, adding that it is a patriotic duty towards seeking the desired political emancipation of the country that has been battered by many years of cumulative leadership failure.
The former Anambra State governor said the current governmental system is dysfunctional and only “rewards unearned income and conspicuous consumption”, giving poor attention to the education, healthcare systems and welfare of youths and pensioners.
”Our country stands hijacked by forces of retrogression. We are almost zero in all indices of development. As a result, our future, especially those of the youth and generations unborn is in ruins. We have become a laughing stock among other nations, including African countries where we were once revered,” Obi said.
He further stated that collective goal of the party which represents the workers and masses of the country is to work for economic rebirth.
“As I am nominated today, I humbly proclaim that the journey towards the emancipation of the country has begun.
“I note with humility that the journey is going to be a collective one that will certainly require the cooperation of critical stakeholders in our country, especially the youth, whose future has been thoroughly degraded,” Obi stated.
Obi said the party’s governance mission would be to secure the country in all ramifications including human and national security and tackling insecurity created by unemployment.
He promised to publish manifesto which would spell out the party’s top governance priorities and urged the citizens to get their Permanent Voter Cards to be part of the collective struggle for libration.
Obi disclosed that the quest is also to unite the country by pulling the people out of poverty and “creating a new sense of nationalism and patriotism,” assuring that no part of the country will be left behind.
“I also assure you all that the struggle continues and that victory is certainly in sight towards the guarantee of a meaningful future for our youths and making this country a respected and viable member of a 21st century world, that places high value on production over consumption,” he added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
