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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has formally declared his intention to run for president in 2023.
Obi made the announcement during a meeting with traditional rulers at the Anambra State Government House conference hall,Agu- Awka, Anambra State, on Thursday.
He said that he decided to declare his intention before the monarchs in order to seek their blessings and support, adding that he needed their prayers and support for the project to be successful.
“Thank you for being respresentatives and what you are doing in your various communities.
“My job here is simple; it is to inform you as my own fathers that I will be aspiring, because at this stage, we are all aspirants, I will be aspiring for the post of president of Nigeria in 2023.
“You know me and you know how Nigeria is today. In 2019, I went with Atiku as the vice presidential candidate but today I want to come out on my own.
“I just came to seek your blessings as the traditional rulers of the state,” Obi said.
The former governor noted that after careful evaluation of Nigeria, he discovered that the country is at her lowest ebb and needed somebody like him to move her forward.
He said that he believes in one united Nigeria, stressing that he is in the race to move the national forward.
“If I am voted as the president, I will secure Nigeria, create jobs for the teeming youths of the country and pull Nigeria out of poverty.
“Everything I have done regarding resources, I have managed them proudly.
“I want to move this country forward. I’m a Nigerian, I believe in one united Nigeria, I want it secure.
“I am not just aspiring for the political position but to serve and move the country forward.
“I have all it takes to be president and move the country forward,” he added.
Obi, who was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 election, had earlier said he will only contest for the presidency in 2023 if the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) zones its ticket to the South East zone.