Elder statesmen from four of the country’s six geopolitical zones have endorsed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, ahead of the February 25 poll.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) is made up of leaders from the Middle-Belt, Ndi- Igbo (Ohanaeze) Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and headed by Ijaw leader and elder statesman, Edwin Clark.
They took the decision at an extraordinary meeting of the forum on Wednesday in Abuja. The communiqué was read by the immediate past President General of the umbrella body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, John Nnia Nwodo.
Obi had received the endorsement of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, founder of Afe Babalola University, Afe Babalola (SAN) and a host of other significant but quiet endorsements. In January, Clark personally endorsed Obi as his favourite among the presidential candidates.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Clark said it was fair and just that the South produces the next president after the eight-year rule of President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner.
Clark also based his endorsement of Obi on traits he believes are critical to leading the country. Explaining further, he cited honesty, trust, and transparency, all of which he said Obi displayed when he was governor of Anambra State.
