Chidi Samuel
The Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Friday explained why he picked former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, as his running mate in the 2019 general elections.
Silverbird Television first broke the news on their Twitter handle @SilverbirdTV.
The news led to varied reactions on Twitter regarding Atiku’s choice of a running mate.
Obi, was the governor of Anambra between 2007 and 2014.
A formal announcement was later made by the Atiku campaign by the DG of the organisation, Gbenga Daniel.
In the statement confirming Obi’s pick, Daniel gave reasons why the former Anambra state governor was picked as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar.
According to Daniel, Obi’s choice was largely influenced by his youthfulness, vast knowledge of global and local economics as well as being a financial expert, all experience which Nigeria is in great need at this point in time.
“This ticket will be able to steer our nation back on the path of progress, economic prosperity and unity”, Daniel said.
Born 19th July, 1961, Obi attended the Christ the King College, Onitsha and later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1984.
“He is also a graduate of several international and national institutions such as the Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School, London School of Economics, Columbia Business School, Institute of Management, Switzerland, Kellogg Graduate School, Oxford University and Cambridge University.
“In public service, he has led various divisions some of which includes: Member, Presidential Economic Management Team; Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, and the Governor of Anambra State.
“Peter Obi is an astute professional who has laid his footprints across the corporate world. He was the Chairman, Board of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC); former Chairman, Fidelity Bank PLC; former Chairman, Guardian Express Mortgage Bank; former Chairman, Future Views Securities; former Chairman, Paymaster Nigeria; former Chairman, Next International Nigeria; former Director, Guardian Express Bank PLC; former Director, Chams Nigeria PLC; former Director, Emerging Capital: former Director, Card Centre PLC.
“He is a member of the British Institute of Directors (IOD), Nigerian Chartered Institute of Bankers and Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG)