Peter Obi
Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was at his elemental best Monday night when he said that all his political victories had been miraculous and that the same miracle will happen in the 2023 Presidential election in which he expects nothing but victory.
While fielding questions on Channels TV Politics Today, Obi said that he is looking forward to yet another miracle in 2023.
He said: “Miracle is at the root of our faith, what strengthens our faith is miracle.
“For me, since I started this political journey, my achievements and records have all been miracles, it has all been miraculous.
“I ran for governor in a party that was less than one year old when I started in 2003 and won the election, they declared somebody else winner. I went to court and everybody said it was impossible, there’s no way, it has never happened before but after three years, the court declared me the winner.
“I was sworn in, six months later, I was impeached alongside Fayose and Dariye. I went to court and again I became the first governor to come back from impeachment. So, I was the first governor to win through the court, and first to come back from impeachment.
“And then in 2007, about one year in office, INEC conducted an election and Andy Uba won and was sworn in as governor, I went to court again to seek the interpretation of our constitution that my tenure is four years, everybody said it will never happen but again the Supreme Court declared me the winner which is why you have staggered election in various states today.
“I can go on and on and tell you so many things that have happened in this my journey which can be termed a miracle, and I am looking forward to the next miracle next year to complete the miraculous journey of my political life.”
On his relationship with Atiku Abubakar and the PDP, Obi admitted that it is true that he did not tell Atiku before resigning from the PDP.
He explains why: “I did not even tell my family. I did not want anyone to talk me out of it. Vice President Atiku remains my respected elder brother, and what he has said is true. When I left the PDP, I did not tell him and other respected persons in my life including my family.
“There is a time in your life that you take a decision which you consider appropriate for your own future.”
“My leaving the PDP was in the best interest of my political future and the future of Nigeria. I have always said that I would rather do the right thing and fail than do the wrong thing and succeed.”
Obi said he left the PDP based on the circumstances he found himself and where he found himself at the time, adding that he is certain that Atiku understands.
On the issue of insecurity, the former Anambra State governor said his solution to the problem will be “decisive and immediate”.
While stressing that the nation’s security situation has been very worrisome, Mr Obi said he feels the Federal Government should do more.
“To improve the security situation in Nigeria, as President, I will ensure the economy works and more people are pulled out of poverty.
“The more you remove people out of poverty, the more you reduce criminality. It is critical and important, as long as the economy continues to head south like we are seeing today, your criminality will be rising,” Obi said.
He stressed the need for proper man power and standard equipment which will increase productivity in security sector.
Mr Obi also stated that with him at the helms of affairs, every state will be placed in charge of their own security.
“I have said it repeatedly that if I have the opportunity, every state will be responsible for their security.
“I will make sure that the governors are given the powers to secure their state. Even if we have federal police there, they will be responsible and reporting to the governor.
“Additionally, the state will be allowed to have their own security system if the need be.”
