2015: Peter Obi predicts Jonathan’s victory over Buhari, others
Former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi yesterday said President Jonathan would not have problem winning over the All Progressives Congress candidate in the 2015 presidential election. Obi who is the deputy director of Jonathan campaign organization in charge of South East, South South and South West said it had been ordained that Jonathan would serve a second term and therefore, nothing can stop his re-election in 2015. Obi spoke to journalists shortly after his investiture as a Papal Knight of St Sylvester at St Patrick Cathedral, Awka, Anambra State. He said only people above 55 years of age could be made papal knights, but he has been today invested even though he is not up to the age, and that the way he miraculously became Papal Knight before the mandatory age of 55 would be the way Jonathan would be miraculously re-elected next year. On the seeming strained relationship between him, his former party All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) and the incumbent governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano, Obi described it as the figment of the imagination of certain people, adding that he had a cordial relationship with the aforementioned. He however said where he would be going politically would be better than where he was before leaving APGA. Speaking in the church, Bishop of Awka Diocese of the Catholic Church, Most Rev Pauilinus Eze3okafor said the recognition of Obi for the knighthood was as a result of his wonderful work he did with his team when he was executive governor of the state when he was governor. The Bishop said one of the most significant contributions of Obi was the impact of his administration on the psyche of the people of Anambra State. He maintained that Obi demonstrated that Anambra State was not cursed but that we were the cause of our problems. “These demonstrations goes beyond the provision of infrastructure- the good network of roads, the new faces and lease of live given to our schools and hospitals, the payment of salaries, pension and gratuities as and when due. “The core of his contribution is with regard to the mental restructuring, the non tangible impressions etched on the psyche of the people,” the Bishop submitted. Speaking on the investiture, the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the APGA national chairman, Chief Victor Umeh in their separate speeches described Obi as an achiever who has put his footprint on the sands of time, adding that they could have misunderstanding with Obi on principle and nothing more. The occasion which looked like a political carnival saw eminent Nigerians like former Vice President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, former minister of health, Prof ABC Nwosu among others in attendance. President Jonathan who was represented by his Special Assistant on Inter Party Affairs, Senator Ben Obi extolled Obi’s virtues and asked his successor, Obiano to emulate him. END.