…say Obi’s integrity, record of performance stands him out

John Alechenu, Abuja
The umbrella body of Anambra people in Europe, Anambra State Association Europe, (ASA Europe), has endorsed the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, and his running mate, Dr Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, for the position of President and Vice President of Nigeria as Nigerians go to the polls on Saturday.

The Diaspora group comprises of 43-member countries in Europe.

In a statement signed by Chief Chris Dume Ofodile, and Franklin Uchenna Okafor, President and General Secretary of the association respectively, the group said the decision to declare support for the LP candidate was taken after exhaustive deliberations on the state of current state affairs in Nigeria.

The statement which was made public, yesterday said the group at its general assembly meeting which was held on the 4th of February 2023 deliberated on the current political waves, the challenges facing the nation.

Members also considered the antecedents of all the candidates as well as their ideological techniques to tackle the hydra-headed challenges facing the Nigerian state and took into consideration the current failed security system in all geopolitical zones of the Nigerian state.

Other issues considered included: the near-collapse economy, the infrastructural decay, the complete decay of the healthcare system as well as the massive fraud experienced in public offices across the country.

The statement read in part, “The group unanimously resolved to endorse and support the Nigerian Labour Party Presidential Candidate HE Peter Obi and the Vice Presidential Candidate Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed in the Nigerian Presidential election on 25th February for 2023.

“After the general assembly meeting, a World Press Conference was jointly held same day by Chief (Sir) Chris Dume Ofodile (ASA Europe President), Mr. Franklin Uchenna Okafor (ASA Europe General Secretary) and supported by Mr. Ndubuisi Umeojiaka (ASA Europe Vice President), Mr. Christian Onuorah (ASA Europe BOT Chairman) and Hon. Obi Wisdom Anusi (ASA Europe Financial Secretary), urged Ndigbo in particular and Nigerians in general, to come out and participate in the democratic election without fear or favour and vote for Mr. Peter Obi and his running-mate Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as the next President and Vice President of a New Nigeria.

“As indigenes of Anambra in Diaspora, Anambra State Associations (ASA) Europe, have first- hand taste of remarkable governance of Mr. Peter Obi in his eight (8) years’ term of office (2006 – 2014).

“He commanded a high degree of recognition, trust, respect and awareness amongst the people of the State, more especially Ndi-Anambra in Diaspora.

“We also encourage Nigerians to do an unbiased assessment of the period Obi governed Anambra State, and they will find that the quintessential politician is a study in frugality, probity, accountability, and transparency.

“After taking a critical and extensive view at the major political parties, their candidate’s track records, characters, capacity capabilities, and party manifestoes.

“ASA Europe agreed that all the candidates presented by political parties for the forthcoming presidential elections are eminently qualified, but the only person with good records, character, capacity, young, energetic with deep knowledge of the challenges facing the citizens is Mr. Peter Obi.

“Then we have no other option than to unanimously endorse the Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi and his running-mate Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed as the next President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

It further stated that, “The ASA Europe Diaspora took a critical evaluation of our project inspections during Peter Obi government and can categorically affirm that every year he surpassed achieving his promises, we believe strongly that he will do the same when given the mandate as president.”

The association also went down memory lane to list Obi’s achievements on a sectoral basis.

It said, in the areas of “Health: Judging from what he did in Anambra, Peter Obi as president of New Nigeria will stop medical tourism to other countries and will attract Nigeria home and abroad medical experts to invest and develop first class medical attraction to Nigeria.

“Education: The good seeds sown by Mr. Peter Obi in the educational sector have continued to yield fruits in the state even for years after his administration had ended. He will attract Nigeria home and abroad educational and ITC experts to invest and develop first class research and IT Hub to Nigeria.

“Agriculture: If elected as the president of the New Nigeria, will explode the Agricultural land space of Nigeria and return the glory as the agricultural producing country of the past.

“He is the only candidate that have genuine programme for the youths and women.
He is the only corrupt-free contestant and serious candidate that can honestly fight corruption, bring down the cost of governance, commit to financial discipline, transparency and accountability in government.

“It is our humble contention, that the only man that has the potential to weave together all the tendencies that define our diversity as a nation, is the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

“Our endorsement of Peter Obi, to all intent and purpose, remains a product of deep and analytical research on the viability of presidential candidates jostling to rule Nigeria come 2023.”