By Okechukwu Onuegbu
All Traditional Rulers and President Generals in Anambra State, Thursday, endorsed the former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi for President of Nigeria come 2023 general election.
Obi, the 2019 Vice Presidential candidate of People's Democratic Party (PDP), had at a consultation meeting held seperately with the monarchs and President Generals at Anambra State government house in Awka, said he would be joining the Presidential race under platform of PDP.
He first revealed his intention to a meeting of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC), an umbrella body of all the monarchs from 177 communities in Anambra State chaired by Obi Alfred Achebe but represented by his Deputy, Igwe Sunday Okafor of Okpuno, Awka South LGA.
The former governor was accompanied during the visit by the Senator representing his constituency (Anambra Central), Iyom Uche Ekwunife, the 2017 governorship candidate of PDP in Anambra State, Sir Oseloka Obaze, the member representing Awka North and South at Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Chinedu Onwuaso, the first female professor of Mass Communication in Africa, Prof. Stella Okunna, among others.
Obi said, "I have come to inform you first of my aspiration to become the next President of Nigeria. I am here because you are my father. After you, I can now tell others. I want you to know that am strongly in the race and fully prepared for the contest. I need your royal blessings to win.
"I am aspiring for the post of President of Nigeria because after careful study of Nigeria and where Nigeria is today, I discovered that my country is too divided. I believed that the government I will lead as President will reunite Nigeria. We need unity and peace for the progress of Nigeria. Nigeria of today is insecured. The government I will lead will be secured to attract both local and foreign investors.
"I will manage Nigeria resources effectively and efficiently. I will focus on the critical area of our economy for development. They are education, health and pulling people out of poverty. We have already set an example as a governor of Anambra State. Nigeria needs people with capacity, confidence and willingness to manage her resources efficiently.
"We want to move Nigeria from consumption to production so that we can build a better future for our country. I want to lead a Nigeria where people from Sokoto, Ibadan, Onitsha and others will be secured, and celebrate Nigeria. I am not aspiring for a political position. But for an opportunity to serve the people of Nigeria. I want you to use your contacts and networks to gather support for me."
Responding, representative of the Traditional Rulers from Anambra North, Igwe Ben Emeka, and his counterparts from Anambra Central, Igwe Peter Anugwu and South, Igwe Shedrack Moguluwa pledged to rally support for Obi's presidential aspiration due to his steering performance as a governor, leadership style, personality and lifestyle.
Also, the Traditional ruler of Enugwu-Aguleri, Eze Chukwuemeka Eri, on behalf of the traditional rulers council, struck the Igbo staff of authority and prayed for success of Obi on the contest after which the Presidential aspirant further sought the blessings of ASATU for the same purpose.
At the ASATU meeting comprising President Generals, leaders of 181 recognised communities in Anambra, the National President of the association, Chief Titus Akpudo welcomed Obi and assured him that nothing would make the State to abandon him owing to his performance as a governor with projects across all communities.