Clark endorses Obi for President, Ortom backs Obasanjo’s move
Barely 48 hours after former President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi for presidency, an elder statesman in the Niger Delta region, Edwin Clark, has also thrown his weight behind Obi.
Addressing a press conference at his Abuja residence on Tuesday, Chief Clark, a former Minister of Information, said Obi is the best candidate to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
Clark, who is leader of PAN Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) also asked members of the forum and other stakeholders in the South South to vote for Obi in the election, saying his vision for the Niger Delta region and commitment to good governance was the reason behind the endorsement.
He said, “His vision for more equity and justice as it pertains to the South-South region, which in the past sixty years has produced much of the revenue for the national economy, but has been neglected with little impact in terms of infrastructure and social development, is convincing and commendable.
“Peter Obi’s commitment to environmental justice to the clean up of the Niger Delta polluted communities is most welcomed, given that even the ongoing Ogoni clean-up has been rather slow.
“His commitment to inclusion of qualified persons from the Niger Delta in the national governance process in the future government if elected into power is very reassuring.
“And that, H.E. Peter Obi unwavering commitment to reactivation of our ports, development of Blue Economy and Maritime Sector, and investment in Gas sector, developing of Modular refineries, are worthy of note.
“I formally hereby announce that I will, therefore, personally, vote for HE Peter Obi and his Vice presidential candidate on election day, 25th Feb, 2023, as President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I have also requested the leadership of PANDEF, as a democratic institution and all other socio-cultural and socio-political bodies which i head to consult with their members at the levels of the states, local governments and diaspora to take further steps in supporting my choice of H.E Peter Obi.”
Ortom backs Obasanjo’s endorsement of Obi
In another development Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has backed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi as the right candidate to win the coming presidential election and provide Nigerians the leadership they earnestly yearn for.
He maintained that if he were not a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, he would have personally led Obi’s campaign across the country.
The Governor in a statement issued Tuesday in Makurdi by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Terver Akase also recommended Mr. Obi to Nigerians “as the man who has the capacity to effectively tackle the economic, security and other challenges facing the country.”
According to the Adviser, “the Governor is convinced that Obi possesses the qualities of a leader who will be a true President of this country by guaranteeing justice, equity and fairness for all Nigerians.
“The Governor stresses that for some years, the country has been tottering on the verge of collapse, owing to leadership failure and its attendant consequences of poverty, heightened insecurity with banditry, kidnappings and other acts of terrorism threatening the very foundations of the nation.
“He says the President that Nigeria needs at this challenging time in the country’s history is one who understands the urgent need to unite the people and speedily initiate policies and actions to redirect the ship of the nation on the path of growth and development, and emphasizes that Peter Obi has all such qualities.
“Governor Ortom lauds Chief Obasanjo for once again demonstrating objectivity, truth and patriotism as a statesman whose views on national issues must be taken seriously.”
