Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has said described Nigeria as a failed state and most insecure.
This is as the Leader of the Yoruba pan socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, has urged the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential flag bearer, Bola Tinubu, to step down for Obi.
Obi who spoke while addressing youths in a town hall meeting held within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State, urged Nigerians to reject the few political class holding the country to the jugular.
The former Anambra State Governor who said his antecedents as Governor were proof of his readiness to rescue Nigeria from total collapse.
He challenged other presidential candidates to show proof of their managerial acumen and prudence.
“For me, I have served the people of Anambra State and was rated as number one in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and the records are there.
“Even in the areas of education and taking people out of poverty without borrowing a Kobo from anybody; I paid all the pensions being owed before I assumed office.
“So, let presidential candidates come out and show Nigerians what they have done in the past before aspiring to govern the country.
“We are determined for a new Nigeria. We want people who are confident, and who are qualified for the job. This year’s election is very essential, we can no longer be comfortable with incompetence.
“We want people who will show commitment; this job requires physical and mental energy. So, we want people who are ready for the job. Myself and Datti want to change Nigeria.
“Datti and I, want to change Nigeria; we are the only set of people that can do that. We have the capacity to do that and that is why we are saying that you should entrust us with the country, and we will make it a great country. Hold us responsible to deal with this matter.”
Obi said Nigeria had potentials for greatness but regretted that a few political elite had hijacked the country for their selfish interests.
He pleaded with traditional rulers to get involved in the on-going efforts by progressives to rescue the country.
“Nigeria is a great country, but we have all allowed it to be in the hands of the few who do not know how to manage it. Your Majesty, that is why we are here to plead for your blessings.
“We know that no royal father goes into politics, but when your subjects are dying and if you don’t intervene, one day, they will come for you for there is no alternative; please, save them.”
Pa Adebanjo who spoke at Obi’s presidential rally in Abeokuta, told Tinubu to honourably step down and support Obi his fellow Southerner instead of suffering humiliating defeat at the polls.
The elder statesman told Tinubu that the North would disappoint him, hence wisdom in stepping down for Obi, who he said, now enjoys wider acceptance and the unflinching support of all progressives across the country.
Adebanjo further argued that apart from being the most competent among the presidential candidates, equity and fairness favoured Obi’s candidacy as the South-East where he comes from is the only zone in southern Nigeria yet to produce a President since the return of democracy in 1999.
He described Obi’s Labour Party as the new bride to the National Democratic Coalition which according to him will save Nigerians from APC’s ineptitude.
“All those that know Tinubu should tell him, I have always told him and I will tell him again, the Northerners will not vote for him.
“He should come back home now and support Obi because when they finally defeat him, he won’t have the courage to come back home again, if he comes back now, we will forgive him and take him back.
“I have told you before and I want to say it again, Labour Party is now NADECO, those of us supporting Obi are the ones that want good governance, we want Nigeria to be better, we want to liberate ourselves from the captivity of the ruling class.”
Pa Adebanjo declared total support for Obi and urged Nigerians to vote for him massively at the February 25 poll for a new Nigeria.
“We are behind Obi, leaders of progressive movement are behind Obi. Those fraudsters parading themselves as Yoruba do not love the country.
“Yorubas do not take things that belong to other tribes. A Yoruba has been President before.”
