Ex-National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, says that the Igbos have credible and qualified hands, such as Mr Peter Obi, capable of leading the nation, while calling on political parties, especially the PDP, in the interest of fairness, equity and justice, to zone their presidential tickets to the South-east.
Nwodo, a former governor of Enugu State argued strongly on the need for the country to re-awaken her conscience and allow Igbos a chance to lead the nation during an interview on Arise TV.
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The former governor contended that zoning the presidential ticket to the South-east would not only serve to promote justice, fairness and equity in the country but would heal the wounds of the unpleasant past and restore confidence in the country, among the Igbos.
He mentioned Peter Obi as capable of leading the nation to an enviable height, stressing that the next Nigerian president should be a person of integrity; knowledgeable about the workings of the economy and with a clear economic roadmap to lift Nigerians out of poverty
Nwodo added that the next president should be one whose lifestyle embodies service before wealth; a person with great communication skills, that can articulate Nigeria’s problems and carry everyone along; one who is educated enough to see through the problems of the country and profer solutions to them; and a person who can effectively tackle the insecurity problems in the country.
He noted that Obi, by his antecedents, fits the above criteria and by all standards is qualified to lead Nigeria if given the chance.
“Peter Obi was the first governor in Nigeria, who upon leaving office, left monumental resources, both in fixed deposits, investments and cash, for his successor. And till today, no N10 of Anambra’s money has been traced to his pocket. He was an extremely successful businessman and has gone to all the business schools in the world to improve his grasp of entrepreneurship and economic development.”
Nwodo called on the political parties, especially the PDP, to reconsider their stand on zoning, heed the clamour for Igbo presidency and massively support the Igbo who had remained loyal to the party over the years.
Meanwhile, The Nigerian Xpress has reported that a former President of the Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, has denied media report claiming he blamed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for recent killings in the South East.
In a statement signed by him, Nwodo said the report published by IKETEX Media TV was misleading and provocative, adding he never at any point in time uttered such a statement.
According to the release, “It has come to my notice that a news item is being peddled in IKETEX MEDIA TV alleging that I have been vindicated on my statement in 2019 that IPOB was responsible for the killings in the South East and that herdsmen were innocent of the killings.