By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

With only three days before the February 2023 presidential election, the Imo Progressives Lawyers Association (IPLA) on Wednesday endorsed the presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, as the candidate of choice for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

IPLA in a statement signed by Chris Okekem Esq, said that the endorsement stems from the collective belief that Obi is the best that represents the transformation that Nigerian so badly needs today.

It recalled that the experience of the average Nigerian since the return to democratic rule has been unsavory due to massive governance failings across all tiers of government aggravated by the underperformance of the various political office holders.

The statement partly reads: “Having examined the manifestoes of all the Presidential candidates of the various political parties, IPLA unanimously endorsed the candidacy of the flagbearer of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“IPLA has continuously lived up to its mandate in responding to issues affecting governance and justice both in Imo State, Igbo land and Nigeria in general.”

IPLA said that having been active observers and participants of the social, economic, and political developments in Imo State and the country at large since the inception of the association, it is equally interested in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, including the preparations, conducting, and final outcomes.

The group while rising from a special general meeting on the 14th of January, 2023 reached some decisions which include;

“IPLA notes that the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled to hold on Saturday, 25th February 2023 offer a vista of hope for the emergence of a new Nigeria.

“IPLA further recalls that the experience of the average Nigerian since the return to democratic rule has been unsavory due to massive governance failings across all tiers of government aggravated by the underperformance of the various political office holders.

“IPLA reiterates that the past eight years have been particularly nightmarish. Across sectors such as the economy, security, education, rule of law, human rights, food security, and employment, the expected benefits promised to Nigerians were never delivered as millions of citizens groaned in excruciating poverty.”

It observed that the average Nigerian feels frustrated, tired, hopeless and desperate for a new Nigeria that works for all, saying that this state of affairs must be discontinued.

IPLA further unanimously adopted the tripartite ethos of Competence, Capacity, and Character echoed by many well-meaning Nigerians and popularized by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.

It called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, and all security agencies to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and their candidates during the general elections, saying: “We cannot afford to do otherwise.”

It also urged Nigerians irrespective of tribe, gender, religion or colour to come out on Saturday, February 25, 2023, and cast their votes for the most competent candidate.