The apex socio-cultural organisation of Ndigbo, Ohanaeze, has hailed the appointment of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi as the running mate of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
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Ohanaeze’s commendation came even as there was jubilation in Anambra and other parts of the South East over Obi’s choice as vice to Atiku.
National Publicity secretary of Ohanaeze, Mr. Uche Achi-Okpaga said Atiku made the right choice as Obi has been tested as governor for Anambra State for eight years.
He said appointments should be based on merit and not sentiments or other primordial considerations.
Achi-Okpaga however noted that Ohanaeze is more interested in restructuring of the country than an Igbo becoming vice president or even president.
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Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi also congratulated Nigerians and the PDP for the choice of Obi as a running mate to the PDP presidential candidate.
Umahi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor described the choice of Obi as a master stroke, a political calculation that has all the trappings of making Nigeria work again under the PDP.
He expressed optimism that with the Atiku /Obi ticket, Nigerians will work again, describing Obi as a consummate administrator who showed class in leadership as a two-term governor of Anambra State.
Secretary General of Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Willy Ezeugwu said Obi’s choice is the best thing that has happened to the people of the South East and Nigeria.
He described Obi as a detribalised Nigerian whose track records speak volumes, saying that the Atiku/Obi ticket would reposition the country.
Former member of the House of Representatives and a PDP chieftain, USA Igwesi also commended Atiku for not succumbing to sentiments in his choice of VP.
He said that the PDP’s presidential candidate has shown that he does not want to play politics with the future of Nigerians describing Obi as great technocrat and manager of resources. Former PDP Chairman in Anambra State, Chief Pandola Okwuosa said it was a welcome development which will go a long way to get the bloc support of not only Anambra State but the entire South East.
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“Peter Obi is a great mobiliser and he has an impeccable political record in Nigeria. People will follow him and with his emergence, other political parties will also join hands to support Atiku irrespective of party affiliations and with this arrangement, they will take power from the incumbent administration” he said.