Obi a better presidential candidate than Atiku, says PDP chieftain

Sampson Orji, who was a governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia, has declared his support for Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).

Speaking on Thursday, Orji said his preference for Obi is based on the latter’s competence.

He said he would mobilise support for Obi “not because he is his fellow Igbo man but for his antecedent”.

“I’m a PDP man till tomorrow, but I will support Obi — not because he is Igbo but because of what he represents. Obi is a movement. My family and friends will vote for him,” he said.

“Atiku is my friend but Obi is a better candidate. Aside from competence, equity also favours Obi’s candidacy. South-east is the only zone in southern Nigeria yet to take its turn at the presidency.

“Why can’t Atiku support Obi, who was his running mate in 2019? I must speak the truth. What are we gaining in PDP that for 16 years it was in power, the Aba-Port Harcourt expressway is not passable?

“You cannot drive from Umuahia to Ikot Ekpene or Owerri to Umuahia on a good road. So, it is blindness to tell me to support Atiku, when we have Obi who has shown competence and capacity to take Nigeria out of the woods.”

In a related development, Orji also expressed his support for the candidacy of  Eyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia south.

Abaribe is seeking to represent his constituency in the senate for the fifth time.

The senator, who contested the PDP governorship ticket, resigned his membership of the party and defected to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in May.

He is being challenged by Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia, who is also gunning for the seat.

Orji said Abaribe has proved his mettle in the senate, considering his antecedent and pedigree as an experienced lawmaker.

He, therefore, advised Ikpeazu to step down for Abaribe, adding that it would be a great disservice to Abia south to replace Abaribe.

“Asking me to choose between Ikpeazu and Abaribe is like asking one to choose between experience and the lack of it,” he said.

“Abaribe is too experienced to be replaced with a greenhorn, who would only go there to begin to learn the ropes.

“Abaribe has performed well in the senate. At a time, he was the only voice not just for PDP or Ndigbo but Nigeria. He stood against injustice in the senate.

“If I have the opportunity, I will tell Ikpeazu to step down for him. It is not a must that every governor will retire to the senate.”