2023: Why Igbo in Diaspora’re rooting For Kalu, Peter Obi, Atuma

The South East People of Nigeria in Diaspora (SEPNID) on Friday declared that capacity and ability of candidates to deliver good  governance and dividends of democracy to Nigerians would determine the outcome of the 2023 general elections, and not necessarily party structures and affiliations.

SEPNID Chairman, Hon Enyinnaya Emma Nwaka said from, the group’s assessment of the presidential candidates so far, only  the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi  possesses  the requisite traits and skills to steer Nigeria to safe waters.

For other elective positions, he further identified the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Abia Central Senatorial candidate for APC, Hon Emeka Atuma as pro-people politicians who from their antecedents have shown that indeed public offices are held in trust for the people.

Nwaka regretted that though Nigerians in diaspora were not yet allowed to vote in election, they nonetheless could influence its outcome by identifying capable candidates and mobilising material resources and strategic support to get them elected.

“To that extent, we see in Peter Obi, a leader with the requisite skill-set and leadership traits that could rescue Nigeria from its present troubles.

“His charge to Nigerian youths: ‘Take back your country’ resonates with all and sundry. His articulation of Nigeria’s current challenges and the solutions he is proposing  has captured widespread attention.

“Unlike his political opponents, we do not think his populist appeal is a creation of the social media. No, its his vision and message that has ignited the interest and captured the imagination of Nigerians. That is what the social media is amplifying, the Peter Obi vision and message. You cannot create something out of nothing, and that is the difference between Obi and other presidential candidates:

They have been unable to articulate a clear-vision that could take Nigeria out of its quagmire. They are yet to bring anything to the table that Nigerians could analyse or critique, but Peter Obi has proffered options that could jumpstart Nigeria’s turnaround.

“Peter Obi  is painting pictures that appeal to the sensitivities of the time and winning converts. SEPNID believes Peter Obi  has what it takes to move Nigeria to the next level,  and to that extent,  we will support his aspiration  in every way we can to ensure he gets elected. Nwaka also mentioned Sen Kalu and Atuma, both Senatorial candidates of the APC, as politicians who have shown that they could be trusted with power and added that SEPNID will equally support their aspirations.

“SEPNID is not a political association; we are pro-good governance and development of Nigeria. We are interested in getting capable individuals elected to public offices,” he submitted.