Barely 24 hours after ex-VP Atiku Abubakar officially declared intention to contest in the 2023 presidential election, former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi on Thursday has also made known his interest to vie for the office of the President of Nigeria.
Obi who was vice-presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections, declared his intention to run for the presidency during a meeting with the traditional rulers in Anambra at the State Government House.
Speaking publicly on his intention for the first time, Obi said he decided to meet with the monarchs first in order to seek their blessings before his official presidential declaration reportedly scheduled for Friday.
The former governor of Anambra state said that after careful consultations he decided to contest for the highest seat in the land.
He added that Nigeria is in dire need of a leader like him to move the country forward.
In his words, “I am talking to the traditional rulers because if somebody begins any journey he must first tell his fathers.
“I am telling you as my fathers that I am coming out to contest the position of the president of Nigeria. You know me and you know how Nigeria is today. In 2019, I went with Atiku as the vice-presidential candidate but today I want to come out on my own.
“I just came to seek your blessings as the traditional rulers of the State.
“If I am voted as the president, I will secure Nigeria, create jobs for the teaming youths of the country and pull Nigeria out of poverty. Everything I have done regarding resources, I have managed them proudly.
“I want to move this country forward. I’m a Nigerian, I believe in one united Nigeria, I want it secure.
“I am not just aspiring for the political position but to serve and move the country forward. I have all it takes to be president and move the country forward,” he added.
