The group called on people of the South East-South South zones and all citizens to vote for Mr Obi due to his credentials and capability to handle Nigeria’s many challenges.
By Jeffrey Agbo
South East-South South Professionals of Nigeria (SESSPN) has thrown its weight behind the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
In a statement on Thursday signed by its President, Hannibal Uwaifo Esq; Secretary, Ireke Kalu Onuma; and members of the Board of Trustees, Emeka Ugwu-Oju and Nuhu Yakubu, the group called on people of the South East-South South zones and all citizens to vote Mr Obi due to his credentials and capability to handle Nigeria’s many challenges.
The professionals further said they based their decision to back Obi’s candidacy on the fact that Nigeria needs an informed, capable and disciplined leader that has the potential to rescue the country.
The statement said, “In a few days, the Nation will have another opportunity to choose the Leaders that would drive the ship of the Nigerian State for the next four years. This election circle is like none that we have witnessed in the past 24 years of this present Republic.
“The reasons for this assertion are many, suffice us to mention but a few. Firstly, we have more eligible voters in the age bracket of 18 and 21 years who are voting for the first time and are positively active and concerned about the outcome of the elections. The other is the fact that for the first time, Nigeria has a choice outside the regular choices of ‘this or the other’, which make up the traditional Political Parties.
“The SESSPN, having followed, reviewed and considered the various options provided by the Parties, the candidates and their respective Manifestos, make the following recommendations to our members, the Peoples of South East-South South Zones, and the entire progressive Citizens of our Country:
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“Nigeria needs and deserves a break from the past and from the now dysfunctional beaten path. With regard to ethnicity and religion, the country is in a polarized state and therefore there is a need to have a leader who will unify the country based on equity, justice and fairness.
“The possibility of a total collapse stares us in the face, hence a need to choose a Leader capable of restoring faith in the Country and hope in each citizen. We also need to choose a leader who would be acceptable to the outside world as that level of comfort will lead to business relations and attract investors to boost our economy.
“With an economy that’s hitched on consumption and a deficit that has reduced the average Nigerians to paupers, we need an informed, capable and disciplined leader that has the potential to rescue this almost failed State.
“We, without reservation, consider an ethical, value-driven trait to be the character of the person most qualified to serve our country at this point in our history.
“Therefore, as an association representative of 11 States, and over sixty million people, we recommend that our people vote for Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the next President of Nigeria.
“We call on our People across the nation to be prepared to exercise their civil rights by coming out en masse to cast their votes and also protect it. Every right come with a measure of responsive responsibility which means that not voting when you can and not defending your votes when you must is simply irresponsible and would only hurt us all.”
The SESSPN said it is not ignorant of the threats to lives and property across the zones and in many parts of the country, adding that it is having talks with the proper authorities to ensure people are able to vote without molestations and harassment.
“We call on all traditional rulers, town union Leaderships and Youth Groups/Age Grade across our States and Communities to properly and adequately coordinate within their communities to mitigate against any nefarious acts against our peoples.
“Members of the SESSPN are enjoined to come out en masse to mobilize and drive this noble cause.
“Our immediate fear of harm and possibly more are real, so also is the possibility of enslavement to a system geared at destroying all hopes for and of the future. We must choose freedom. No other choice is acceptable,” the statement added.
