Enugu State
Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Friday hailed Mr. Peter Obi, running
mate to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar, describing him as “an iconic Igbo son.”
Ugwuanyi
spoke at the Enugu Government House when he played host to Obi.
The Governor
said Obi left enduring legacy both as a two-term governor and as chairman of the
Southeast Governors’ Forum.
“Peter Obi
remains an iconic son of Igbo land,” he said, adding that by the grace of God,
Enugu State is a PDP State.
He thanked
the people of the State for supporting the party in 2015, expressing the hope
that the party would receive similar support in 2019.
Earlier in
his speech, Mr. Obi told the governor that he was at the Government House to
consult him and seek the usual support of the state, stressing that his
candidacy was not about him “as Peter Obi” but the people of the Igbo nation
and Nigerians at large.
The PDP Vice
Presidential candidate, who was accorded a warm reception at the Akanu Ibiam
International Airport, Enugu, by the state government delegation and other
teeming supporters of the PDP led by the party’s Chairman, Hon. Augustine
Nnamani and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Festus Uzor, expressed delight
that “this is the first time in my political life that I am welcomed at the
airport”.
While
applauding Gov. Ugwuanyi for his giant development strides in Enugu State, Obi
pointed out that the success of his nomination depends on the leaders of the
South East geo-political zone, pledging to bring meaningful development to the
zone such as the Enugu – Onitsha expressway, when elected into office.
His words:
“So for me this nomination is about our own area. We can’t continue to say we
are not getting this or that or that we are marginalized. These are some of the
opportunities to re-address whatever we think is not in our positions.
“I have
served as governor, so people know a bit of my record. I am here to say to you
(Ugwuanyi), I remain one of you. Everybody knows that I believe in Enugu. I
believe this is our capital and it remains so.
“Your
Excellency, that is why I am here. I need your support and that of all of you.
I assure that it is all about us and Nigerians, not about Peter Obi”.
The Vice
Presidential candidate later visited the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,
Chief Nnia Nwodo, who welcomed him and noted how “extremely happy” he was to
have him in audience at his residence in Enugu.
Chief Nwodo
said that “as a party, the PDP has responded to our yearnings and aspirations
by reacting to our feeling of marginalization at the top echelon of our
leadership of our great country by nominating you to vie for the position of the
Vice President of Nigeria”.
The
President General disclosed that the Apex Igbo body will “very soon convene a
meeting of the highest organ of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ime Obi when all the political
parties are to bring out their candidates and we will take a decision on what
direction Igbos will take in the next election”.
He extolled
the leadership qualities of Obi saying that “your nomination is enchanting,
your public conduct while you were a governor exemplifies you as a man of
outstanding humility”, adding: “Your incorruptibility in government speaks
volume. I look forward to when Ohanaeze will take a decision on which party the
Igbos will vote for and I wish it will be you”.
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