The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant, Mr. Peter Obi, recently took a swipe at the forthcoming 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria.
In his personal avowal, he opined that the elections would not only be the toughest election the country has ever had, but would also determine the future of the country.
The former Governor of Anambra State, who was speaking to Party members in Minna, Niger State, said the PDP had no anointed candidate for now as being insinuated.
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He, however, assured that whoever emerges as the Presidential candidate of the PDP democratically would receive the overwhelming support of all members of the Party.
According to Mr. Obi, the next election would determine the future of Nigeria, hence urging the people to elect people who are competent and capable of delivering on their campaign promises.
“This next election will determine the future of Nigeria. It will be unfortunate if the election does not go well. Nigeria is more important than all of us, we must ensure that we build a better place for us all,” he remarked.
The presidential aspirant further expressed optimism that the PDP would resolve the issue about zoning for the 2023 Presidential candidate amicably.
He said, “Our party is yet to sort out the issue about zoning but I know that it will be resolved amicably. I am not going to pre-empt what is going to be done but whatever it is, we will all respect the party’s decision.”
In his own contribution, Niger State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Tanko Beji also declared that there would be no anointed candidate in the party as campaigns for various elected positions for the 2023 elections begin.
Mr. Beji said, “anyone who thinks he or she would be highly favoured in the Party should jettison the idea, as a level playing ground would be given to all candidates vying for all positions.
“We Will provide an enabling environment for all aspirants at the state and federal levels. There will be no anointed candidate for the Governor, Senate, House of Representatives or House of Assembly. Every PDP member in the state who think they have what it takes will be given a level playing ground”, he declared.
He therefore stated that the ground was fertile for the PDP to take the leadership position at the state and federal levels.
It’s no longer news that, ahead of the primary elections of the PDP, the party chieftains are currently in loggerheads over zoning agitations among its members.
Observers are of the view that, if not aptly handled, the lingering disagreement leading to various crises within the PDP leadership is liable to cost the party the chances of contesting favourably with its major opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The story isn’t different in the APC, as the party leaders are also presently divided over who emerges as the party flag-bearer. This has created various factions among the teeming members of the ruling party.
As being opined that the forthcoming presidential polls would determine Nigeria’s future, party faithful within the two key political parties, who truly care about the country, shouldn’t be reminded that this is the time for them to either make or mar the political space of the country.
Hence, they must be ready to shift ground for Nigeria’s sake.