KEHINDE FAJOBI
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, on Wednesday met with the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom behind closed doors at the Governor’s private residence in Abuja.
Governor Ortom met Obi less than 24 hours after he (Ortom) arrived from two weeks working visit to the United Kingdom and the United States.
In a statement released by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur released to newsmen in Makurdi, at the end of the meeting the two leaders jointly addressed the media.
Governor Ortom called on presidential candidates of the various political parties in the 2023 general elections to put Nigeria above their personal interests.
He said Nigerians were in dire need of people with “commitment and competence” that would fix the leadership crisis that had plunged the country into chaos.
The Governor also noted that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate was one among the qualified Nigerians that the people looked forward to helping take the country out of its current situation.
He as well commended Mr Peter Obi for consulting him despite their different political parties.
“Governor Ortom commended the decision of the former Anambra State Governor to engage Nigerians, especially major players in the country’s politics, irrespective of political leaning on his desire to serve as the country’s next President.
“He said even though he was a major stakeholder of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the LP candidate considered him as a Nigerian to consult on his aspiration.”
Mr Peter Obi earlier explained that the reason for his visit was to show respect to his former political ally in the PDP, he pointed out that although they were now in different political parties, their friendship as citizens of the country was most important.