2019: Catholic priest, groups support Peter Obi as Atiku's running mate

macfranc007 October 17, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Rahaman Abiola

- A catholic priest and two Anambra youth groups have canvassed for Atiku-Obi 2019 presidency

- They thanked Atiku and PDP for choosing Obi, the son of the soil

- They also warned the political elite group in the region against rejecting Obi's selection

Following the selection of Peter Obi, a former Anambra state governor, as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Anambra state capital, Paulinus Ezeokafor, and two prominent groups in the state have expressed satisfaction with the move.

The Nation reports that Reverend Ezeokafor, the youth wing of Anambra state's Association of Town Unions (ASATU) and Anambra New Generation Vanguard (ANGV) have thereby called on the country and the people of southeast to support the presidential ticket of Atiku-Obi come 2019.

NAIJ.com gathers that Reverend Ezeokafor spoke in support of Atiku-Obi ticket while addressing a church congregation of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, Ifitedunu on Tuesday, October 16.

The cleric thanked Atiku, saying the selection of Obi, the son of the soil, was a welcome development and sense of relief for Igbo people.

He said: "I believe that with Atiku as an astute politician and Obi as a good manager of resources at the helm of affairs, Nigeria’s economic and administrative challenges would be adequately tackled.

“I am convinced that the Atiku/Obi combination would put smiles on the faces of the masses as the duo, hitherto job creators and renowned human capital developers, would place Nigerians on the path of progress.

“Nigeria’s current problem is lack of economic management and maladministration. I think, with Atiku and Obi at the helm of affairs, Nigeria would be changed for good. We are tired of leadership ineptitude.

“I think, without having all the facts, Obi’s candidature is the greatest thing to have happened to Nigerians in recent times.

“It is a blessing for the Igbo race. We have long been forgotten. Those who know Obi’s antecedent know him as a great manager of resources.”

Similarly in a statement, the ANGV’s leaders Chinemerem Oguegbe and Nonso Okoye urged the government of the state and people of southeast to support the former governor's selection, adding that they would not take with levity anybody or circumstance trying to cut the chances of Igbo people from having a voice in the coming government.

They also warned the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against parading themselves as the alpha and omega of the southeast people.

The said: “We wish to state that the issue in question affects the dreams of the entire Igbo nation to once again be key players in the politics of Nigeria and most importantly the hope of the younger generation of the Igbo nation to become political stakeholders in a united Nigeria.”

PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news update

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state on Tuesday, October 16, revealed his reason for criticising the choice of Peter Obi as the running mate to the presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

He said while he was not against the choice of former governor Peter Obi nor he doubted his competence. But he was only concerned about the process leading to Obi's selection.

He added that stakeholders in the region were not duly informed.

Is Atiku the Right Man to Defeat President Buhari? 2019 Election - Nigeria Street Gist | NAIJ.com TV