Former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, on Thursday declared his intention to contest for the 2023 presidential election, promising to secure and unite Nigeria.

Obi made his declaration during his visit to the Anambra traditional council and Presidents General in Awka.

The former governor said he would contest on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“My job here is simple: I have come to tell you that I am aspiring to be president of Nigeria. After a careful study, Nigeria today is at the lowest ebb, we are too divided.

“I believe that the government I will lead, will reunite Nigeria. We need unity and peace for the progress of Nigeria; if I have the opportunity, I will lead well, secure Nigeria, we will attract local and foreign investment that will move Nigeria forward.

“The government I will lead will manage Nigeria resources effectively and efficiently for production; my government will invest in critical areas for development including, education, health and pulling people out of poverty,” he said.

Obi said he visited the traditional rulers first because they were his fathers and should be the first to know of his political decisions.

The onetime Vice Presidential candidate said he would rebuild and reunite Nigeria as a strong believer in the country which, according to him, was more divided now than ever.

He said he had done a detailed study of Nigeria and was abreast with its challenges, noting that he was not just aspiring for a political office but aspiring to serve Nigeria and its people.

Obi said he had a proven track record of efficient resource management and had done so as an individual businessman, at the corporate level and public sector as governor of Anambra.

“We did it in Anambra, there is no significant difference between Anambra and Nigeria. What the country needs is people with capacity, competence and willingness to manage resources effectively,” he said.

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Responding, Igwe Bennett Chukwuemeka, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area, said they were happy that Obi had ended the anxiousness of many by declaring his intention.

Chukwuemeka said the Anambra traditional rulers’ council would extend the drive to their contemporaries in the South-East and other parts of Nigeria.

Obi was accompanied by Senator Uche Ekwunife, Obinna Chidoka, and Chinedu Anyaso among others.

The Star