In a New Year message to Nigerians, Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo endorsed Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. According to a letter made available to the press by his aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, the elder statesman vowed his support for Obi. He explained how Peter Obi is more qualified to lead Nigeria to the Apogee due to his discipline, character and vitality.
In his words, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo urged Nigerians to vote for Peter Obi in the next presidential election. Also, the erstwhile President highlighted how the APC government under President Muhammadu Buhari has failed Nigerians. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo described the last seven and half years under the APC administration as “eventful and stressful for many Nigerians.”
Furthermore, the letter illuminated how Chief Olusegun Obasanjo rated the efforts of the APC administration low. He described Nigeria’s progress under Buhari as moving from “mountain top to the valley and from frying pan to fire.” Also, he bemoaned the efforts of the APC government, stating it hasn’t been enough to push the country forward.
Reactions to Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of Peter Obi
Despite targeting his emphasis on the APC government alone, the new year message didn’t sit well with top political parties in the country. His endorsement of Peter Obi attracted harsh responses from the Peoples’ Democratic Party, All Progressives Congress, Social Democratic Party, African Action Alliance, and All Progressives Grand Alliance.
Additionally, the Deputy Director, Special Media Project, APC Presidential Campaign Committee, Bashir Ahmad described the endorsement as irrelevant. In a Tweet, Bashir Ahmad said APC isn’t bothered about the endorsement stating that APC won Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s polling unit in 2019, despite the former President’s support for the PDP candidate.
Not a long time, for the 2019 election, Chief OBJ endorsed and supported PDP candidate, and wrote several letters against President Buhari.
See the result from OBJ’s ward 11, unit 22, Olusomi’s compound of Abeokuta North LG;
APC: 87 votes
PDP: 18 votesWe are not bothered!!
— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) January 1, 2023
As it stands, the presidential candidates of the APC, Bola Tinubu; PDP, Atiku Abubakar; LP, Obi and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso are the frontrunners in the race to Aso Rock.
