Anya-Ndi-Igbo, which is based in Enugu, noted that Obi has easily won the respect and support of the youth of Nigeria, both within and outside the country.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Anya-Ndi-Igbo has declared that Peter Obi is its preferred candidate for the 2023 presidential election scheduled for Saturday, February 25.
The socio-political and economic development-oriented organisation made this known in a statement dated February 14 but made available to TheNiche on Monday.
The organisation said it set up a team of nation-building experts to scope and evaluate the evidence of competence, capacity, education, background, worldview and international exposure of the candidates of the 18 political parties.
Anya-Ndi-Igbo said the experts were mandated to consult opinion leaders across Nigeria.
Explaining the rationale behind the choice of Obi as its preferred candidate, the group said the former governor of Anambra State: “Espouses fair, just and purposeful Nigeria; has been consistent in programme-offering, namely, that the Nigerian State or Public Sector should promote increase in economic production and reduce consumption, as remedy to the current economic and social malaise facing the country; has been measured and financially frugal in brand marketing, rallies and campaigns; has been very, very civil and issue-oriented in political communication.”
It also said that “While challenging the candidate of the party in Office at the Federal level, the Labour Party candidate has been supportive of orderly governance, even when governing party officials and candidates are publicly and impolitely controverting and distancing themselves from contemporary government programmes, of which they are part.
“In the matter of refined petroleum product supply challenges, the Labour Party candidate identified removal of subsidy on consumption as remedy. And in the matter of new design currency challenge, the Labour Party candidate has cautioned patience and forbearance, while some serving Governors and candidates of other parties are inciting insurrection.”
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Anya-Ndi-Igbo, which is based in Enugu, noted that Obi “has easily won the respect and support of the youth of Nigeria, both within and outside the country, which several pre-voting scientific polls and surveys have confirmed; has shown compassion, maintained integrity, displayed eloquence, manifested vigour, and avoided mischief and scandal, during the hustings.”
The group also said he “enjoys unqualified and overwhelming acceptance and endorsement by political players and power blocs across Nigeria, beyond ethnic or religious divides, considering the total endorsement by the Afenifere, the Middle Belt Forum, the Niger Delta Forum and leading elders in the North. The ticket has the public and considered endorsement of no less a person than a two-time President of Nigeria, HE Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, as well as several national leaders.”
It added that “On account of the above facts, and the evidence of his transformative performance whilst Governor of Anambra State, Anya Ndi lgbo, even though a non-partisan, socio-political and economic development-oriented organization, committed to equity, peace, unity, justice and progress of Nigeria; wholeheartedly endorses Mr. Peter Obi, the candidate of the Labour Party for the Office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and humbly request eligible voters across the country to elect him to the Office. At the polling stations, voters should thumb-print properly beside the symbol of the Labour Party on election day, which is the 25th of February, 2023.”
The group’s statement was signed by its BOT President, Elder Uma Eleazu; President, Engr. Chris Okoye; Secretary, Sir Okey Nwadinobi; BOT members, Elder K.U. Kalu, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Prof Chidi Osuagwu, John Otu, and Delly Ajufo.
Others who signed the statement are President, Association of Igbo Town Unions, Emeka Diwe; Representative of Women Organizations, Anya-Ndi-Igbo, Prof. Uche Azikiwe; President, World Igbo Congress, Prof. Anthony Ejiofor; Chairman, Media and Strategic Committee, Anya-Ndi-Igbo, Ikechukwu Amaechi; and President, Global Igbo Leaders (GIL), Amadi Ebube.