Peter Obi declares himself a candidate for president and receives blessing of Anambra monarchs

FORMER Anambra State governor Peter Obi has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2023 presidential contest formally declaring himself a candidate at a campaign launch in Awka where he declared that he alone can unite Nigeria.

Mr Obi who governed Anambra State between 2006 and 2014, was the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019. He will now be seeking the presidential ticket of the PDP in what is now looking like a crowded race that may even involve his presidential partner in 2019, former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

Declaring his candidacy today at the Anambra State Government House, Awka, before a gathering of traditional rulers, Mr Obi received their blessings. Addressing the monarchs, Mr Obi, said he is joining the presidential race to provide adequate security for Nigerians, to manage the country's resources as he did in Anambra and to ensure that every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, ethnicity and religion has a better life.

Mr Obi, 60, said: “I want to have Borno, Sokoto, Benue, Kogi and Oyo states secured if given the opportunity to rule Nigeria, come 2023. I am not aspiring just for a political position alone but to ensure that peace, equity and justice is served to all."

His Royal Highness Emma Nnabuife, the Igwe of Iseke, who blessed Mr Obi on behalf of all the other monarchs commended him for recognising and according them respect in his bid to run for president of Nigeria. Mr Obi was accompanied by Senator Uche Ekwunife, Hon Chinedu Onwaso,  Oselloka Obaze and Professor Stella Okunna.

He also received the backing of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions, the umbrella body of all the 181 communities in the state. Mr Obi  was received by the union's president, Barrister Titus Akudo.