*Says he is best man for the job*As Anambra Royal Fathers gives him endorsement
By Anayo Onwuasoanya, Awka
The former Governornof Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, on Thursday formally declared his intention to contest for the presidency of Nigeria under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said he wants to throw his hat in the race because he feels he has what it takes to secure, unite the country and bring the country unparalleled economic turnaround for the better.
Obi made the statement during a meeting with Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council in Awka, Anambra State.
Elated by his mastery of what to do and how to do it to improve the country, the traditional rulers representing the 177 autonomous communities in the state endorsed the banker wnd trader for the office.
While addressing the royal fathers, Mr. Obi said that he was not in the race to seek political appointment, but to fix Nigeria and unite the country.
He left none in doubt that the country was in near precipice, but he offered constructive solutions, which drew applause as he reeled them out.
“I am not contesting because I want political appointment but to serve this country and unite Nigeria and I am the only person that can unite Nigeria.
“The state of our country today is deplorable. The level of insecurity is indeed unfortunate and Nigeria has fallen to the lowest ebb in the committee of nations and I am the only one that can restore all these.
“As President, I want security of lives and property in Borno State, in Minna, Niger state, in Sokoto, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo, Lagos, Oyo, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, just as I want it to be in Onitsha and in Kano or Ekiti state.
“My interest in the presidency of Nigeria is to restore security and revamp our educational sector, and also revive the health sector and I have seriously studied our country and I have come to discover that all that we need is to ensure security so that foreign and local investments would thrive in all parts of the country.
“I have come to serve Nigeria and I have what it takes to restore the dignity of our country and to unite the country because if there is no unity in Nigeria, we cannot move ahead.
“You all know me very well. I do not need any further introduction. You all know what I did as Governor of Anambra State and Anambra is like Nigeria and anybody who is able to manage Anambra State can manage Nigeria vwry well and I am calling for your support and I have confidence in you all that you will support me,” he told the royal fathers.
Earlier, Sen. Uche Ekwunife, who was on his enrourage noted that those asking questions about which of the Igbo people is eligible to go for president are ignorant of the personality of Mr. Peter Obi.
“When you go to the North, they say that they are waiting for the Igbo and the person is Peter Obi. You go to the West, they say they are waiting for Ndigbo and they are waiting for Peter Obi. You go to South-South and they say they are waiting for Peter Obi.
“This is a good product and a good product does not need so much stress to sell through and that is Peter Obi and we in Igboland have no choice but to support our brother because he is bewt bet to be the next president of Nigeria.” Ekwunife said.
The Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, the Obi of Onitsha, who was represented by Igwe Emma Nnabuife of Iseke Kingdom, stated that “the entire monarchs in Anambra state have endorsed Peter Obi for the presidency.
“We need no other person but him and the Igbo have endorsed Mr. Peter Obi as our candidate and this is the turn of Ndigbo.”
The high point of the occasion was the traditional prayers by the monarchs who blessed him and prayed for the realisation of his ambition.
