2023 Presidency: ‘Give me some time’– Peter Obi

Former Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 General Elections, Dr Peter Obi, has pleaded with Nigerians urging him to declare his 2023 ambitions now to give him more time to think it over.

Obi is under pressure to throw his hat in the ring amid the flurry of declarations for the 2023 Presidency by Nigerians who see him as the most eligible from the South East against the backdrop of calls by the Southern groups to political parties in the country to zone their 2023 ticket to the region.

However, political watchers say Obi is hinging his ambitions for 2023 on the candidacy of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who he contested as vice presidential candidate in 2019.

Replying to a Twitter user who had threatened to sue him if he does not declare interest in the presidency before the end of January, Obi pleaded with Nigerians to give him more time.

The Twitter user who was replying under the thread of a tweet posted Obi in reaction to the victory by the Super Eagles of Nigeria over their Sudanese counterparts in the ongoing 2019 AFCON tournament, on Saturday, had threatened to sue the former governor of Anambra State if he does not declare his interest ahead of the 2023 race before end of January.

“Sir, if at the end of this month and you don’t declare interest for presidency in the 2023 election, then be ready for a legal action from me.

“Leave #AFCON2021 for Orji UZOR Kalu, that’s his calling, not yours. Your calling is excellent economic leadership,” @FakeBuhari tweeted.

Responding, Obi replied: “I wish I knew your real name. But the truth is, I don’t have money to spend on a court case o. Give me some time,

It would be recalled that leaders of various socio-cultural and political groups in the South of the country recently insisted on power shift to the region ahead of the 2023 Presidential Elections, even as they also rejected the candidates fielded by the North to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

The meeting of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF), which came up with the resolution, held, last Thursday, in Abuja under the Chairmanship of the Leader and Elder Statesman, Chief Dr. E. K. Clark.

A statement issued at the end meeting and signed by Chief Dr. E. K. Clark – Leader; Chief Ayo Adebanjo – Leader of Afenifere; Prof. George Obiozor – President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; and Dr. Pogu Bitrus, the National President, Middle Belt Forum, also demanded the restructuring of the country, as it posited that ‘the extant Constitution and Structure of Nigeria are grossly flawed and lopsided.’

The meeting which extensively discussed various issues on the State of Affairs in the country, particularly, the security situation, Restructuring, preparations for the 2023 General Elections and Zoning, resolved to call on political parties in the country to zone their presidential candidates to the south.

The group resolved; “That the northern part of the country would have fully enjoyed the Office of the Presidency of the country for the full statutory period of 8 years by 2023, hence, the presidency should rotate to the South;

“That therefore, unequivocally and in full resolve, call on all political parties in the country to zone their presidential tickets to the south.”

The forum, therefore, advised that ‘any political party that does not zone its presidential ticket to the South should not expect support from the four regions.’

In attendance at the meeting were delegations from the four regional socio-cultural organisations, including: Afenifere in the South West, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the South East, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) from the South-South and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) in the Middle Belt.

The delegations were led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, Professor George Obiozor, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President of the MBF and Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, National Chairman of PANDEF.

Also in attendance were former state governors, ministers, federal and state legislators, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, including; Obong Victor Attah of Akwa Ibom, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, Simon N. Okeke, Chief Supo Shonibare, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, Amb. Okey Emuchay, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Prof. G. G. Darah, Solomon Asemota SAN, Dr. Alex Ogbonna, Mr. Mac Emakpore, Chief Douyi Douglas-Naingba, Mrs. Nella Andem-Rabana, SAN, Prof. Mrs. Chinwe Obaji, Maj. Gen. Henry Ayoola (Rtd), Engr. Ben Akaakar, Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, Comrade Jare Ajayi and Ken Robinson, among others.