Posted by The Port Harcourt Telegraph on
The people of the Orashi region under the aegis of the Orashi Consultative Forum, OCF, have urged their son, Dr Peter Odili, Governor of Rivers State to gun for the presidency in 2007.
The people of the Orashi region under the aegis of the Orashi Consultative Forum, OCF, have urged their son, Dr Peter Odili, Governor of Rivers State to gun for the presidency in 2007.
It is the first major request that Governor Odili has received since the search for a replacement for President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007 began, and the South-South people declared in Calabar, they are interested in the presidency this time around.
Governor Odili may not have declared any intention to run for the presidency, but he has in the last few months received quite a number of persons from across the country who think he has the charisma and the qualities of a presidential aspirant.
Before the curtain fell last year, Dr Idika Kalu and other notable Ibo leaders were in town to express support for an Odili presidency.
Although Government House has not acknowledged their visit publicly.
As part of efforts to allow the nation to test the dividends of democracy, the Orashi Consultative Forum (OCF), made up of all the councilors in the region indicated their interest to urge the Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili to gun for the 2007 presidential race, saying that he is the only person capable of succeeding President Olusegun Obasanjo.
At the end of the Forum of Orashi councilors held on the 12th of January, 2005 at the Delta Hotels Limited, Ahoada, Rivers State, the OCF agreed to give Governor Odili the necessary support to actualize his political ambition.
The body stated that since nobody from the South-South of the country has been president, it would be necessary to give the governor the maximum support needed
Speaking to the Telegraph, the chairman of the forum, Hon. Dan Igbudu hinted that the body has deem it pertinent to identify with the result oriented governance as well as the developmental strides of the amiable and dynamic governor to help steer the ship in the right direction.
The chairman pointed out that they adopted Odili to help wipe away the tears of Nigerians who have suffered enough
According to him, "Governor Odili is a specific leader sent to a specific people at a specific time for a specific purpose" the whole states is hoping on him to come and deliver.
On Odili's rival in the presidential race, Hon. Igbudu stated that since we are in a democratic dispensation, every body has the right to contest with him, but foresees that those who will contest with him will surely loose as God has already approved his candidature
Answering a question on the issue of the governor supporting General Ibrahim Babangida in other to become the number two citizen of the country, he said that there was no iota of truth in the story.
He described it as baseless and unfounded, saying that it was a rumour to tarnish the image of the governor.
"Our governor cannot engage in such a stupid enterprise because I know that he is capable to be the president of the country. All we need is to give him the maximum support for him to show Nigerians the way", he said.
Hon. Igbudu pointed out that the body would soon liaise with the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Arewa Consultative Forum and the Afenifere to educate them on the need to support Governor Odili for the task ahead to enable him win more votes not only in the state but also across the nation.
He pleaded with the state governor to continue his anti-corruption crusade and to give adequate attention to power supply when he becomes the president of the country in 2007.