A former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, was on Friday, in Abuja, chosen as the running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate in the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar.
Obi was said to have emerged as the preferred choice of both the party and the candidate after series of consultations by stakeholders in the party and outside it.
Obi’s name and that of Atiku would be sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission next week.
On Friday, it was gathered that Obi, Atiku and some chieftains of the party met for several hours, where some names were considered before that of the former governor was said to have been finally picked.
Investigation by one of our correspondents showed that Atiku and the leadership of the party discussed the issue at a closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday.
A statement issued by the Director-General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Gbenga Daniel, in Abuja on Friday night, confirmed the nomination of Obi.
The statement read in part, “The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has chosen a former Chairman of Fidelity Bank PLC and former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, as his running mate for the 2019 presidential election.
“Born on July 19, 1961, Peter Obi attended Christ the King College, Onitsha and later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.
“He is also a graduate of several international and national institutions such as the Lagos Business School; Harvard Business School; London School of Economics; Columbia Business School; Institute of Management, Switzerland; Kellogg Graduate School; Oxford University and Cambridge University.
“In public service, he has held various positions, some of which include member, Presidential Economic Management Team; Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, and the Governor of Anambra State.
“Peter Obi is an astute professional who has laid his footprints across the corporate world.
“He was the Chairman, Board of Security and Exchange Commission; former Chairman, Fidelity Bank PLC; former Chairman, Guardian Express Mortgage Bank; former Chairman, Future Views Securities; former Chairman, Paymaster Nigeria; former Chairman, Next International Nigeria; former Director, Guardian Express Bank PLC; former Director, Chams Nigeria PLC; former Director, Emerging Capital: former Director, Card Centre PLC.”
Obi is also a member of the British Institute of Directors, Nigerian Chartered Institute of Bankers and Nigerian Economic Summit Group.
Daniel said Obi’s choice was largely influenced by his youthfulness, vast knowledge of global and local economics as well as being a financial expert, adding they were experiences Nigeria was in great need of.
“This ticket will be able to steer our nation back on the path of progress, economic prosperity and unity,” he added.
A close source in the party, told one of our correspondents on condition of anonymity, that Obi was considered ahead of others because of many factors.
The source said, “There were many names that were brought to the table for consideration. I will not want to dwell on those names so that such people will not feel slighted.
“However, we considered that Obi is humble. He ran Anambra State well when he was the governor. He is not flamboyant and he has knowledge of the economy.
“Obi is believed to have some sort of followership in the country, especially in the South-East, even though his candidate lost the governorship election in his state.
“The general belief, however, is that he will do well as a vice president and will also serve as a check to the PDP government,” the source added.
