Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in this year’s general elections has said he must be the president of the country.
“Anyone who thinks I’m on transit is wasting his time. Let me tell you, I must be the president of this country,” Mr Obi was quoted as asserting on Friday. “I’m sure of that. If it is not today, it must be tomorrow.”
The former Anambra governor lost his bid to clinch the position currently held by outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari in February.
He has approached the election tribunal, arguing that the winner, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), failed to meet the constitutional requirements for the exalted office.
Daily Trust quoting the presidential candidate that came third, according to INEC, said the Anambra politician, however, said he was not desperate for the position.
“Other people who want to be (president), should come and tell us what they want to do, and how to do it. This is my country, I don’t have dual citizenship. If anyone thinks I am going to run away from Nigeria, they are lying,” he said at a book presentation in Awka, Anambra.
“I have three engagements in Anambra and Lagos today. I will be speaking in Lagos tonight. We will not leave Nigeria. I am not in a hurry to become the president, but I know it must happen.
“For three years I was in court in Anambra to reclaim my governorship, just to challenge the process. Many people tried to discourage me, but I said even if the entire four years tenure elapsed for us to prove a point and correct the process, I will be fulfilled.
“I was in an event yesterday in Abuja, and it was World Food Organisation. I listened to report that stated that Nigeria will face intense hunger in years to come.
“It is Nigeria that will face hunger, not Peter Obi. The report listed Borno, Adamawa and Yobe as the states that will be worse hit, but those three states put together are five times larger in land mass of Israel, yet Egypt exports food, but Nigeria cannot feed itself.
“So we must cultivate a habit of doing the right thing. If we don’t do the right thing, it will consume us some day.
“I must be the president of this country; if not today, it will be next time. I’m not desperate; I’m not in a hurry. I’m committed to cause of better Nigeria,” he said.
Don’t be discouraged
The LP standard-bearer also charged his supporters – who are allegedly termed rude while bullying dissenting voices – not to be discouraged.
“We are peaceful, we are not going to quarrel with any politician. Don’t be discourage about my apologies to people. As youth, we cannot fight our fathers, even when we are right,” he advised. “We are not going to riot. I am in Nigeria; I do not have dual citizenship; I will not run away; we must be here to right the wrong in the country.”
