. Describes Atiku as a committed democrat
By Valentine Amanze
The former Governor of Anambra State and the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, has commended Francis Cardinal Arinze on his 60th anniversary as a priest, describing him as Nigeria’s exemplary export to the universal Church.
Describing 60 years of priesthood as “no mean achievement,” Obi, who spoke in Lagos, prayed to God to continue to grant Francis Cardinal Arinze the health of mind and body.
Using him as an example, he said that he was among Nigerians that worked outside the country and yet rivaled the best.
“When you look at people like him, who excelled both within and outside the country, you are persuaded to believe that the problem with Nigeria is not human resources, but getting the right people to take charge of the affairs of the country”, Obi said.
Obi who reiterated that Arinze was able to prove himself as a Prince of the Church, attributed it to rigorous selection process, where what he did in the past was a major determinant.
The former governor however called on Nigeria to learn to do the same – evaluating the past of those they wish to entrust with the governance of the country.
His words: “Before making a choice, we should ask what the person has done in the past; has he created wealth? Has he showed marked interest in education? How many people has he employed? These are necessary questions.”
Meanwhile, the former governor has described Alhaji Abubakar Atiku who turned 72 recently as a “true Nigerian and a committed democrat”.
He spoke to journalists in Yola.
Noting the varied contributions of Atiku to societal upliftment, Obi drew attention to Atiku’s varied roles as an entrepreneur, job-creator, wealth-creator, educational proprietor, committed democrat and promoter of national unity.
“Having seen it all”, Obi continued, “Alhaji Atiku is manifestly desirous of being part of the glorious era of Nigeria, when it shall be said that the Nigerian Renaissance started. I appeal to Nigerians to give him a chance through their votes to further demonstrate his commitment to the meaningful development of our great country”.
Obi, who said it was a privilege being Atiku’s running mate, revealed that he was first attracted to him after following his activities and his deep and well-thought-out solutions to Nigerian problems which he kept reeling out, piece-meal, each time he reacted to the many unwholesome developments going on in the country.
“We have had many leaders in the past that were persuaded to come out. We have had many that came out not realizing what they were going into. We have had many who saw leadership as open sesame to fame and fortune. In Atiku, we see a man seeking leadership fully prepared to avoid the pitfalls of those that came there as adventurers,” Obi concluded.