Former governor of Anambra State and 2023 Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Peter Obi, has said after enduring years of agony due to bad leadership, Nigerians cannot afford to make another mistake in the coming presidential election.
Obi who was in Asaba, Delta state, as part of a political tour to further his presidential ambition ahead of the PDP primary, told delegates that the choice of who represents the party in the next election, is crucial, because it could be the last opportunity for the country to avoid total collapse.
While urging the delegates to nominate him as the flag bearer of the party for the presidential polls in 2023, he said past governments have failed to address the greatest and major problem of the country which is empowering the people by making them more productive and ending poverty.
He said this would be the major focus of his administration if elected, because meeting the needs of the people is the most effective way of addressing the many challenges facing the country.
“All we do is sharing, nobody talks about production formula, that is what we want to change. This country ought to be productive, that is what I want us to do.
“Nigeria is collapsing. It is collapsing fast unless we do something, we would all be refugees and none of you can afford to be a refugees.”
“Anybody that tells you that things are getting better in this country, tell the person Peter Obi said it is not true,” he said.
Obi made similar remark during his visit to Lagos State while addressing stakeholders and executives of the PDP in the state.
He regretted that the country was passing through a very difficult time which should not be allowed to continue to prevent suffering of the people.
He noted that the first step to fight insecurity in the country is to aggressively tackle the ailing economy, saying, “you have to make sure that people have a means of livelihood, because if people don’t know where the next meal will come from, they will go into crime. When you pull people out of poverty, you will reduce insecurity.”
On why he thinks he is the best man for the job, he said, “it is for you to verify, compare me with other people and look at my past. As journalists, you have the opportunity to interrogate and ask people and know if there are some things that you can believe, then you work with it.
“Find out where I was yesterday and pass your judgement. It is not for me to tell you. People have told you stories and made promises in the past that they were not able to fullfil. It is now your responsibility to investigate.”
Also speaking at the event, was elder statesman, Chief Olabode George, who described Obi as a very competent, capable Nigerian that possesses integrity, sound character and has all it takes to serve the country at the highest level.
He said, “I knew Peter Obi even before he became governor. He has a firm background of entrepreneurship, expert knowledge of finance and economy, and sound record of public service, considering what he did in Anambra State.
“Nigeria definitely needs a capable leader like Peter Obi to rescue it from the myriad of challenges it is contending with. I urge Nigerians to support him and give him the chance to fix our nation.”