– Ohanaeze youths hail choice as Anambra erupts in jubilation
– Nigerians react
The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the forthcoming 2019 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, on Friday picked a former governor of Anambra state, Mr Peter Obi as his running mate.
The media have been awash with speculations on whom he is going to pick as his running mate since Abubakar was elected by the PDP as its Presidential candidate.
Obi, among other notable leaders from the country’s South east geopolitical zone including the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; former Finance Minister, Prof Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; former CBN Governor, Prof Charles Soludo; and former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, have been widely recommended.
It was learnt that Abubakar held talks with Obi in Abuja on Friday to seal Obi’s choice.
Obi reportedly arrived at Abubakar’s residence in Asokoro neighbourhood around 3:00 p.m. on Friday, and both discussed in camera.
The former Anambra governor is widely speculated as a top candidate for Abubakar to pick as running mate.
Sources close to Abubakar told Premium Times that Obi has been chosen as the vice presidential candidate after the meeting.
“He is the one,” a top official in Abubakar’s office told the paper, adding that a confirmation statement would be released latest by Saturday morning.
The former vice president on Sunday became the presidential candidate of PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party.
Several options have been suggested in the public domain, with the candidate being widely expected to choose from either the Igbo-dominated Southeast or a Yoruba choice in the Southwest part of the country.
The reported choice of Obi is expected to galvanise the backing of the South-east towards Abubakar’s candidacy.
Obi was the governor of Anambra State between 2006 and 2014 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, a party stridently associated with the late leader of the defunct Eastern region, Ikemba Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu, who, even in death, still enjoys cult followership in the South East.
Although neither Abubakar nor the PDP has formally announced Obi as running mate, a PDP senator, Ben Murray-Bruce, congratulated Obi on Friday evening.
Anambra erupts in spontaneous jubilation
Most pubs in Awka, the state capital, were agog as if the Super Eagles had won a major competition.
A lawyer who was caught in the joyous mood said, “Peter Obi is a man who has a date with destiny.
“I’m not surprised that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar picked him to assist him to run the affairs of this country if he wins the presidency.
“That’s a confirmation of the good works Obi did here as governor. It’s a confirmation that Obi is ordained for greatness.
“It is a right choice. Nigeria will be great for it because Obi has a robust background of the private sector and tall achievements in governance.”
Also, speaking, a governorship candidate on the platform of PDP, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, said, “Atiku made the right choice in Peter Obi.
“Nigerians’ prayer is answered. His Excellency Atiku Abubakar has made the right choice in picking Peter Obi as his running make.
“Atiku has just exhibited the ability to make hard-headed decision required of purposeful leaders.
“Let’s get Nigeria working again. God bless Atiku. God bless Peter Obi and God bless Nigeria,” Obaze said.
A public affairs analyst, Aaron Muorah, expressed his joy thus, “With his solid educational and business background, he is second to none. Congratulations to Peter Obi.”
Ohanaeze youths hail choice, say victory is assured
The OYC spoke on Friday through a communique issued after its meeting, which was signed by Comrade Obinna Achionye, Deputy President General and Mazi Alex Okemiri Vice President (Ebonyi).
The communiqué read: “The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide at a special meeting on Friday in Abakiliki, after deliberating extensively, resolved as follows:
“We applaud the gesture of PDP and Alh Atiku Abubakar on the nomination of our son and mentor, Mr Peter Obi as the running mate in the 2019 Presidential election; this nomination is the respect accorded to aspirations of millions of Igbo scattered across length and breadth of the country.
The jubilation that erupted with the news of Peter Obi as Atiku’s running mate, across the South East shows that both youths and agitators accept it is the best pair for PDP to win 2019 Presidential election.
We will ensure that this respect accorded to aspirations of our people will yield better dividends for PDP because the whole Igbo youths will support Atiku and Peter Obi in 2019.
We call Igbo Youths to remain law abiding and prepare to ensure that the duo of Atiku and Peter Obi are return to Aso rock in 2019, as President and Vice President.
We will reach out to the Arewa Youths, Ijaw, Middle belt, Ibibio, Yoruba Youths under the Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth organizations for the success of Atiku and Peter Obi Project 2019.”
Further reactions on Twitter
@iam_angelraf: My real VIP is a running mate of our next president in 2019. Congratulation Mr “Peter Obi”
@jasonnneji: #2019#, nice move Atiku, Peter Obi will deliver the east for u
@Judeanikx:Today @atiku has shown that he means business in changing lives in Nigeria. “Peter Obi” and Atiku the best tag-team partners we need now. This is the best news I’ve heard since 2015. Nigeria will be great. @APCNigeria you can’t dig crap about “Peter Obi”
@MrAyeDee: No problem, if @atiku likes, he can have Peter Obi as his running, walking or even flying mate. Obiano is SOLIDLY on the ground in Anambra, and all back of the envelope calculations being equal, very strong certainty Anambra shall go with @OfficialAPCNg come 2019.
@PrinceOlanrew12:Picking Peter Obi is an error
@Iddybrown001: Yes, Peter Obi as Atiku’s running mate is a great deal. But, Atiku’s team needs to do lots of work by making sure the entire Igbo community in Yoruba land are solidly behind Atiku and would cast their vote in favour of PDP. Lots of work to do. Izz not social media som’tin!
@creativerealens: I just wish the presidential race is between Peter Obi and Osibanjo. I don’t like Atiku and Buhari
@Maybeks: The choice of Peter Obi, one of the best Governor of our time as Vice president should tell you something about Atiku…. He’s interested in our ECONOMY!! If I hear pim about that dullard called Buhari again! Nonsense
@NdibeNdibea: So Atiku chose a man that can’t deliver PDP in his ward in the last Anambra state gubernatorial election.
Quite laughable.
@MakiSpoke: To be honest, with Atiku and Peter Obi on the same ticket, I’m on their team. I have faith in Peter Obi’s competence.
@Mister_Judah: I don’t like Atiku. I like Peter Obi.
@DoubleEph: Looks like Peter Obi will be the VP. That will be a solid solid solid solid pick. It’s only been 5 days but, so far, Atiku hasn’t put a foot wrong yet
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