Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has declared his interest to contest for the 2023 presidency on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr
Obi, who was running mate to Atiku Abubakar in 2019 presidential election, announced
his intention on Thursday when he visited Anambra Traditional rulers.
“My
job here is simple, to inform you people as my own fathers that I’ll be
aspiring for the post of President of Nigeria,”
Mr Valentine Obienyem, Mr Obi’s Media Adviser, had on
Wednesday disclosed to the media Mr Obi’s ambition to run for the office
of the president in 2023.
“I can assure you that Obi will soon speak as promised and when he does, Nigerians will be happy with what he will say,” Mr Obienyem said.
Mr
Obi’s declaration comes a day after Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar declared to run for president ahead of 2023
Presidential elections on the same PDP platform. Obi, Abubakar and others
who are still warming up would be vying for the presidential ticket of the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023.
In February,
Peter Obi announced would be contesting for Nigerias number 1 seat only if his
party, Peoples Democratic Party, zones the presidential ticket to the South.
The
South-East region is yet to produce Nigerias president since the advent of the
fourth republic, intensifying agitations for zoning the position to the region.
Igbo leaders had threatened that South-East would separate
from Nigeria, if the two major political parties (APC and PDP) fail to zones
their presidential tickets to South-East.
Other Igbo sons who have decleared their intention to
run for president in 2023 include former Senate President and Secretary to the
Federation Ayim Pius Ayim; Former Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha; former Abia
Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu; Governor of Ebonyi, Dave Umahi.