By CHARLES IWUOHA

Members of the Obidient Movement in Ebonyi State chapter have reiterated that the Labour Party, LP Presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, remains the most qualified to lead Nigeria out of its current challenges, come 2027.

The declaration was made during an event, in Abakaliki, to mark Obi's 64th birthday anniversary, on Saturday.

The event, which wrapped up a week-long series of activities featured donations to vulnerable groups, including visits to a motherless babies’ homes, a leprosy centre, and the distribution of free Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), to 100 motorcyclists in Ebonyi State.

Speaking to journalists, a member of the National Advisory Committee of the Obidient Movement, Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, described Obi as “an institution of hope".

He said the former Anambra governor embodies the character, competence, capacity, and compassion that the country desperately needs in its current economic and political state.

“Within the week, we visited vulnerable places, hospitals, leprosy homes, and mother-and-baby shelters across the state. It is important to note that what is happening here in Ebonyi is also happening across the country and in the diaspora, wherever Nigerians are,” he said.

He added: “We believe that Peter Obi, who is an institution of hope, represents the hope of the common man. Despite how bad things are—from corruption and economic mismanagement to leadership failure—we believe that a Peter Obi presidency is what Nigeria needs at this time."

In the same vein, the 2023 governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the state, Comrade Splendor Oko Eze, cautioned leaders of the coalition party against turning the presidential race into a contest for the highest bidder.

According to him, “Nobody is more qualified than Peter Obi. For those suggesting he should settle for vice president, how can a man who pulled this kind of votes, who transformed a party with no structure into one that produced senators, House of Reps members, and even a governor, be pushed aside?” he questioned.

“I want to warn the coalition parties: do not impose any candidate on the people. Coalition should be a platform for liberating poor Nigerians—not for selling tickets to the highest bidder. The most qualified person is Peter Obi."