27th December, 2022
The presidential campaign organisation of People Democratic Party, PDP, has described the rejection of presidential ambition of Peter Obi, the Labour Party flag bearer for the 2023 election by businessman, Price Arthur Eze, and other prominent Igbo leaders as bold, courageous, and timely.
Billionaire businessman Eze had told guests at the 2022 Ofala festival of HRH Igwe (Dr.) Robert Eze, the traditional ruler of Ukpo in Dunukofia local government area of Anambra State that he advised Obi to withdraw from the 202 presidential race.
Eze, who is also from Anambra like Obi said this was because he believe that the Labour Party presidential candidate cannot win the presidential election in 2023.
“When he told me about his ambition, I asked him the states he thinks he can win in the west and in the north – he told me; but I was not convinced. I told him he cannot not win; so that he would not waste his time and money,” Eze said at the event.
However, the campaign organisation of PDP believed that the rejection of ambition of Peter Obi was an endorsement of its flag bearer, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa.
Uloka Chukwubuikem, Deputy Director, Media & Publicity Atiku-Okowa Campaign Anambra State in a statement on Tuesday said with rejection of his presidential ambition by Eze, it is now clear that Obi’s desire does not have the support of notable Igbos and leaders as often claimed.
“The window is yet open for Peter Obi to rescind his ego ambition and join in the negotiations for a bankable future for Ndi-Igbo and the project to recover and rescue Nigeria.
“Elections are not decided on the altar of sentiment and emotions, and given the current state of affairs, Obi is playing with the emotions of our people rather than realizing that he lacks the architecture, people, and resources necessary to even finish second, let alone win.
“With Arthur Eze’s endorsement of Atiku Abubakar, GCON, we are now certain that Anambra State will collapse for the PDP Presidential candidate and ensure maximum victory for the Atiku-Okowa ticket, which would help to recover Nigeria and ensure a better place for Ndi-Igbo in the leadership of the country,” the Atiku Okowa Campaign Organisation said.
Read the full statement below
PRESS STATEMENT.
27th December, 2022
Arthur Eze and other prominent Igbo leaders rejection of Peter Obi’s jaundiced ambition, bold, courageous, and timely.
Prince Arthur Eze’s open endorsement for Atiku Abubakar, GCON, and rejection of Peter Obi’s jaundiced presidential enterprise is a clear indication that the Obi aspirations is now a mockery and a journey to nowhere.
Whatever remains of Mr. Peter Obi and his social club’s ego ambition has been destroyed and dismantled by the declaration of the oil and gas tycoon and philanthropist; it is now clear that Mr. Peter Obi’s desire does not have the support of notable Igbos and leaders as often claimed.
The Ukpo, in Anambra State-born royal prince, elder statesman, and pan-Nigerian, has joined Governor Charles Soludo, CFR, and other leaders of Igbo extraction in distancing themselves from the comedy ambition of the Labour Party candidate and his stereotype of being an Igbo candidate.
While we applaud Prince Eze for being brave and speaking the truth when it was most needed, it is also undeniable that Ndi-Igbo are not politically headed for disaster and that we still have leaders who are willing to use their wealth of experience, discernment, and bravery to defend the region’s interests against widespread prejudice.
Peter Obi cannot assert to know more about Nigerian politics than Prince Eze, Soludo, and numerous others who have persisted in advising him against running for president in 2023 because doing so would endanger Igbo political survival in Nigeria and would prevent the region from forming the necessary alliance with other geopolitical regions of the nation for an Igbo presidency.
In many societies, when individuals like the prince of Ukpo speak, everyone eventually listens and heeds their advice, given his awareness of history, familiarity with politics, and comprehension of the complexities of the Nation; these virtues shouldn’t be lacking in our own society.
The window is yet open for Peter Obi to rescind his ego ambition and join in the negotiations for a bankable future for Ndi-Igbo and the project to recover and rescue Nigeria.
Elections are not decided on the altar of sentiment and emotions, and given the current state of affairs, Obi is playing with the emotions of our people rather than realizing that he lacks the architecture, people, and resources necessary to even finish second, let alone win.
With Arthur Eze’s endorsement of Atiku Abubakar, GCON, we are now certain that Anambra State will collapse for the PDP Presidential candidate and ensure maximum victory for the Atiku-Okowa ticket, which would help to recover Nigeria and ensure a better place for Ndi-Igbo in the leadership of the country.
The Atiku-Okowa Management Committee in Anambra State, which is headed by Professor Obiora Okonkwo, OFR, has persisted in making sure that nothing is overlooked for the Atiku-Okowa ticket’s victory in the state. Okonkwo has also praised Prince Arthur Eze for his leadership and for being a deserving representative of ndi-Igbo.
Signed:
Uloka Chukwubuikem
Deputy Director, Media & Publicity
Atiku-Okowa Campaign Anambra State.