- Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) picked Obi as his running mate in the 2019 presidential election.
- Four years later, Obi contested for the presidential office under the LP but polled third behind Abubakar and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, has clarified his presidential ambitions, stating that he is not desperate to occupy the highest office in the country.
Obi made this declaration at the fourth convocation ceremony of Nexford University, a US-based online institution.
As the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Obi expressed his dissatisfaction with the country’s leadership, describing it as “an imposition on the people”.
Obi urged the graduating students to adopt a selfless approach to leadership, enabling them to drive positive change effectively.
“I’m desperate to see Nigeria work,” Obi added. “All of these that we are saying is for you to use it and ignite that change and support.
He emphasized that his desire for change shouldn’t be misconstrued as a desperation for power. “When people say I am desperate, I say ‘No’. I am not desperate to be Nigeria’s president. I am desperate to see Nigeria work because it can work.”
Obi stressed the importance of youthful participation in shaping the country’s future.
He quoted James Robinson, a Nobel laureate in economics, who stated that Nigeria has the potential to prosper but refuses to take the necessary steps.
Obi concluded by urging the younger generation to take charge and drive positive change. “How can you allow drivers and people who are at their destinations to drive you? You will lose.”
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