Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi has emphasised that he is not vying to be president of the country on the basis that it is the turn of Ndigbo but because he possesses the capacity and passion to bring about the desired change the country needs now, adding that amongst the four front runners for the position he is the best candidate.
Obi said the major cause of the critical challenges facing the country currently which according to him include, insecurity, poverty, disunity among people of various tribes, unemployment (especially among the youth) is “leadership failure” and said that for the situation to change the country should be transformed from being a consumption economy to a production economy.
The former Anambra State governor made the assertion yesterday when he addressed traditional rulers of Anambra State at the Conference Hall of the Government House, Awka, as part of his campaign tour of the state.
Obi who earlier held a town hall meeting attended by members of the academia, students, traders, captains of industry, motor transport workers, etc, at the Stanel event centre along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway told traditional rulers that Niger and Borno states have vast fertile agricultural lands that if properly harnessed could feed the entire country and have excess for export pointing out that the Sambisa Forest “which today is being dreaded is over 60,000 kilometres”, adding that if turned into agriculture production and properly managed it can change the misfortune of the country occasioned by hunger.
He described oil subsidy as official corruption being perpetrated by top public officials arguing that Nigerians have never benefitted from the proceeds and promised to do away with it if he becomes president.
He said, “(Oil) subsidy is an organised official crime. An ordinary Nigerian has never benefitted from subsidy on oil.
“Our debt today is over N77 trillion. What have they used this for?”
He charged the traditional rulers to show interest in the choice of political leaders, particularly the person who would be elected president of the country on February 25.
He stated that if the traditional rulers across the country are carried along by the federal government and given the necessary logistics such as operational vehicles for crime fighting with proper funding to fight insecurity, the current level of insecurity will abate.
Obi vowed that with his running-mate, Dr Yusuf Datti-Ahmed he will transform Nigeria.
Earlier the chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe praised the leadership qualities of Peter Obi and expressed confidence in his capacity to lead the country out of its present challenges.
Also, the traditional ruler of Okpuno community, Awka South local government, Igwe S. I. Okafor stated that Obi’s records when he was governor in the state for eight years were clear testimonials that if given the mandate to preside over Nigeria as the president the country will experience change for the better.
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