Spokesperson of the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Management Committee, Senator Dino Melaye, has reacted to the endorsement of Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying he prayed for the elder statesman to be alive to witness Atiku Presidency in 2023.
Arabella reports that former President Obasanjo had on New Year Day openly endorsed the LP presidential candidate ahead of the February 25, 2023 election.
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Obasanjo made this known in his New Year message titled “My appeal To All Nigerians Particularly Young Nigerians.”
The former president noted that none of the presidential candidates was a saint, but when compared in terms of knowledge, discipline and what they can offer, Obi has an edge over others.
“None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge.
“Others like all of us have what they can contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria collectively. One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost.
“In other words, he has people who can pull his ears, if and when necessary. Needless to say that he has a young and able running mate with clean track record of achievement both in public and private life,” Obasanjo said in the open letter to Nigerians, which he personally signed.
Arabella Star Magazine also recalls that in the 2019 elections, Obasanjo endorsed his erstwhile deputy, Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari.
But, Melaye, a two-time member of the National Assembly, prayed to God to keep Obasanjo alive in 2023 so that the latter can attend a Council of State meeting to be presided by the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
The former federal lawmaker, who took to his verified social media handles, on Monday, wrote: “God will keep Obasanjo alive, and he will attend Council of State meetings with Atiku Abubakar as President and Commander In Chief Of The Armed Forces Of The Federal Republic Of Nigeria.
“I also want to assure him that his honorarium will be paid. SDM.”