Peter Obi contested the Anambra State governorship election on the platform of the APGA in 2003, but his rival Chris Ngige of PDP was declared winner by the INEC
Willy Eya, Ndubuisi Orji and Alloy Attah
Newly-elected presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has settled for former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi as his running mate for the 2019 general elections.
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Though Atiku and his party, PDP have not officially announced it, Obi emerged the preferred choice after series of consultations by both stakeholders of the party and other power brokers in the country.
The Director General, Atiku Campaign Organisation, Gbenga Daniel confirmed the news yesterday night.
Saturday Sun reliably gathered that Obi met with Atiku at his Asokoro residence in Abuja yesterday for about two hours, where issues relating to the presidential ticket were believed to have been discussed.
A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on condition of anonymity confirmed the story but said it has not been officially made known to the public.
He said the name of Obi and that of Atiku will be sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) next week. The NWC member told Saturday Sun: “I can tell you that the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar has picked Peter Obi as his running mate but for us in the party, we are not aware yet because his choice has not been communicated to us.”
When contacted, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan also told Saturday Sun: “ I can’t confirm yet. It has not been brought before the party.” Meanwhile, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce has congratulated Obi on his selection as Atiku’s running mate.
Taking to his Twitter handle, he said, “Congrats my friend and brother, Mr. Peter Obi on your selection as vice presidential candidate to H.E @atiku. Without doubt, this is a solid team that will lift Nigeria to her rightly place amongst the assembly of nations.”
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His nomination has ended speculations about who will pair with the PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections.
Peter Obi contested the Anambra State governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APGA) in 2003, but his rival, Chris Ngige of PDP then was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
But after nearly three years of litigation, Ngige’s victory was overturned by the Court
of Appeal on March 15, 2006. Obi took oath of office on March 17, 2006. His reign was short-lived following his impeachment on November 2, 2006 by the state House of assembly after only seven months in office.
Again, Obi successfully challenged his impeachment and was reinstated on February 9, 2007 by the Court of Appeal sitting in Enugu.
He once again left office on May 29, 2007 following the general elections, which Andy Uba won. Obi returned to the courts once more and this time contending that the four-year tenure he had won in the 2003 elections only started to run when he took office in March 2006. On June 14, 2007 the Supreme Court upheld Obi’s contention and returned him to office.
He later contested for a second term and was declared winner of the February 6, 2010 gubernatorial elections, where he defeated Professor Charles Soludo, former Governor, CBN. On March 17, 2014, Obi served out his second term and handed over to his successor, Willie Obiano.
Since his exit from office as governor, Obi has been involved in advocacy for good governance in the country.