The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, canceled his scheduled trip to Abidjan, the capital city of Côte d’Ivoire where he was to watch the finals of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Football tournament, which Nigeria’s Super Eagles won beating the host the Ivorian Elephants.
Obi, took to his X handle on Sunday to express sadness over the death of a close friend and Chairman of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, his wife, son and a seasoned Nigerian banker, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, who died along with others in a helicopter crash in California, the United States.
The LP standard bearer who is known to be a staunch supporter of the Super Eagles from his days as Governor of Anambra State (2006-2014), was in Abidjan to cheer the Eagles to victory during their quarter-final match against Angola.
A statement from his Media Office said, Obi had purchased a return ticket and was to depart Nigeria by 1 pm Sunday when news of the helicopter crash reached him and he took the decision to cancel the trip in honour of those killed in the tragedy.
According to the Office, “OBI’s love for football dates back to his days as a student at Christ the King College, CKC, Onitsha during which he was also an ardent supporter of Rangers International of Enugu and the old Green Eagles.
“ As a Governor he further demonstrated his love for the game when he renamed the Onitsha township stadium in Fagge, Onitsha after the first National team Captain Godwin Achebe.