A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Ebonyi, Dr Peter Okeh, has endorsed former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as the best person for ADC presidential ticket in the 2027 general election.

Okeh believes Obi’s grassroots followers, particularly the OBIdient Movement, would guarantee him bloc votes in the Southeast.

He spoke during a meeting with journalists in Abakaliki on Sunday, where he declared that Nigerians are facing the worst economy in the history of the country.

According to him, Obi has all it takes to win the election if given ADC presidential ticket, having learned valuable lessons from the 2023 experience.

Obi’s extensive travels across the country have also made him a more seasoned candidate.

Moreover, Nigerians are now more united against the current government than ever, and Obi’s candidacy could capitalise on this sentiment.

“I actually believe that Mr Peter Obi is the best person to head the coalition. He has all it takes to win the election. Politics they say is local and Peter Obi has solid grassroots followers – the OBIdient Movement – behind him.

“He has also learnt a lot of lessons from the experience of 2023. In addition, things are very much different now. He has reached out and traveled the nooks and crannies of this country, much more than he did before the 2023 general elections. Furthermore, Nigerians have tasted the bitter pill of the current government, and as such people are now more united against the government in power than ever.

“Finally, I think many Nigerians will be uncomfortable to see that the Southern part of the country are not allowed to complete the eight years tenure as has now become the norm in our politics.”

Speaking further, Okeh welcomed the emergence of the opposition coalition.

“I am absolutely thrilled with the birth of this coalition. It’s indeed an amazing development in the political history of our country. It was indeed a relief that in the context of abject poverty, extreme hunger, monumental corruption, insecurity, and state capture that APC government has unleashed on Nigerians a group of eminent Nigerians can come together to form a formidable force to stem the tide and to save democracy in our country.

“Absolutely yes. This is because the coalition has all it takes to defeat the current government. Look, the next election will be an election like no other, it will be an election between APC versus all the suffering Nigerians home and abroad. This time, Nigerians will protect their votes and no one will be given a free ride to rig the election like they did in the past.”

Other notable figures have also backed Obi’s candidacy, including Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who believes Obi deserves to lead the coalition’s charge and should not settle for a vice-presidential role.

Meanwhile, Obi has confirmed his intention to run again in 2027, promising to serve only a single four-year term if elected. (Sunday Tribune)