… As he declares support for Obi as president
Shina Ashade, Abeokuta
A Chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Doyin Okupe, has urged Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Dele Momodu and others to give up their presidential ambition and support somebody from the Southeast.
Okupe, who disclosed his intention to withdraw from the race, said he declared his support for the Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi as president of the country come 2023, while calling on the aspirants on the platform of PDP to do the same.
He spoke at a press conference held at Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) Secretariat, Iwe-Iroyin, Abeokuta, on Wednesday, noting that it would be unfair for Nigeria to denied anybody from the Southeast to become the president of the country
The PDP chieftain, who said that in order to align himself to the path of truth and equity, and justice, insisted power must go to the Southeast and he was ready and would publicly support any igbos from the region as the president of the country come 2023.
He, therefore, called on the aspirants from the south contesting for the highest office in Nigeria including Momodu, Anyim, Wike, and Ayodele Fayose to team up together with him and support Obi as the president.
Okupe maintained that by supporting Obi or any aspirants that comes from the igbo extraction, he was not fanning the ember of discord but rather he is lighting the touch of unity to establish political stability.
He faulted the national leadership of the party by trying too hoodwink the aspirants from the South to commit ourselves to obtain the requisite forms before coming up with the original position that ‘every zone can contest the presidency’.
“In aligning myself with the wish of our elders and in the interest of equity and justice, I publicly admit that the 2023 political race must be conceded to the South-East; that is, the Igbos.”
“I therefore, here and now proclaim that I am, as I have said publicly several times, withdrawing from the presidential race and I am declaring my support for the best aspirant not only in Igboland, but in Nigeria as a whole.”
“I and my supporters within and outside the PDP are teaming up with His Excellency, Peter Obi.”
“At the same time, I want to enjoin all other aspirants from the South; Chief Dele Momodu, Senator Anyim, and His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike to come with me and let us team up with Peter Obi. So we can give the South the best possible chance.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, I am not fanning the embers of division, rather I am by this action lightening the torch of unity by establishing political stability on the pillars of truth and justice upon which the Bible tells us that even the throne of the Almighty God is founded.” Okupe added
