Former Goodluck Jonathan aide Reno Omokri, a fervent admirer of Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, has claimed that Olusegun Obasanjo always desired a president from the South-East.
On Sunday night, Omokri turned to Twitter to comment on the former president’s selection of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party, as his preferred candidate for the position of president.
Obasanjo, according to Omokri, is a good-hearted man who wants a president from the Southeast to help heal the wounds left by the 1967–1970 civil war.
Omokri tweeted, “Obasanjo is a good hearted man. He has always wanted a president from SE or close to SE as a way to heal the civil war wounds. In 2007, he wanted Peter Odili, but Yar’adua insisted on Governor Jonathan as VP.”
In a letter to Nigerians, Obasanjo supported Obi as his preferred candidate for the 2023 presidential election, which will be held in February, as we reported on Sunday.
Obasanjo referred to Obi as his protégé and claimed the former governor of Anambra State had an advantage in the 2023 elections in the 2023 New Year letter, which was signed by the former president and provided to journalists by his aide, Kehinde Akinyemi.
Obasanjo’s letter partly read, “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.
In a letter to Nigerians, Obasanjo supported Obi as his preferred candidate for the 2023 presidential election, which will be held in February, as we reported on Sunday.
Obasanjo referred to Obi as his protégé and claimed the former governor of Anambra State had an advantage in the 2023 elections in the 2023 New Year letter, which was signed by the former president and provided to journalists by his aide, Kehinde Akinyemi.
“Others like all of us have what they can collectively contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria.
“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. He has a young and able running mate with a clean track record of achievement both in public and private life.”
The ruling All Progressives Party and opposition Peoples Democratic Party have strongly protested against Obasanjo’s endorsement of Obi, who assumed power as President under the PDP.
We noted that the APC and PDP both asserted that Obasanjo’s support for Obi would not matter electorally in the next elections.
In response to Obasanjo’s lengthy message, Bayo Onanuga, Director of Media and Publicity for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, stated that Tinubu would not be disturbed by the former president’s support of his Labour Party counterpart.
While in a telephone conversation with The PUNCH, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba said, “What is important is the endorsement of the Nigerian people. The endorsement of an individual no matter how highly placed does not translate to victory at the polls.
