The selection of Peter Obi as
running mate to Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), has been met with protest by south-east leaders.
David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi
state, says the leaders of the region were not consulted over the nomination of
Obi.
He said the development
contravened an initial agreement that the leaders will collectively endorse a
candidate for any position zoned to the region.
Umahi, chairman of the south-east
governors’ forum, said Igbo leaders and governors were sidelined in the
selection process.
He said any position zoned the
Igbo must be deliberated upon by the key stakeholders in the south-east.
The governor said he has no ax to
grind with Obi but maintained that the right thing must be done by the PDP.
Umahi and some Igbo leaders are
expected to hold a meeting on the matter, and may ultimately reject the
nomination of Obi as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate.
Meanwhile, the south-west is on
standby to put forward a candidate from the region in the event that Igbo
leaders reject Obi and fail to reach a consensus on a replacement.
The south-west and south-east
were the two regions from which Atiku was expected to nominate his deputy after
emerging PDP flag bearer for the 2019 presidential election.
The ex-vice president, however,
opted to select a candidate from the south-east.
Atiku had explained that he
picked Obi due to his “vast knowledge of global and local economics as well as
being a financial expert, all experience which Nigeria is in great need at this
point in time”.
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At the end The south east will lose the position zoned to them. I really don't know what is their problem. i believe Obi is not from south east. You want the president to come from the south east, is this how other Nigerian will support you?
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