Leaders of the Middle Belt and Delegates from Southern and Middle Belt Alliance (SaMBA), have endorsed Mr. Peter Obi as their consensus candidate for the 2023 presidential election with Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed as his Vice Presidential candidate.
The decision was reached, according to a statement by Prince Rwang Pam Jnr., their spokesman, at the end of a Conference held at Langfield Park and Gardens, Rayfield in Jos, Plateau State.
The theme of the Conference was “The Middle Belt in Nigeria: Before and after 2023 Election,” and the Keynote Speaker was Prophet Isa El-Buba.
According to the statement, the Conference considered a wide range of issues, including the adoption of Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed as Mr. Obi’s Vice Presidential candidate before reaching the decision, which the participants insist, will lead to the birth of a new Nigeria.
The group also stressed that they chose Mr. Peter Obi as their consensus candidate “after considering his track record both in the private and public sectors,” noting further that the former Anambra governor “is a leader who believes in the struggle to liberate Nigeria from a consumption economy to a productive economy.”
The statement said the organisers “decided to tag the Conference ‘Save the Middle Belt’ because the middle belt is a region that covers 230 ethnic nationalities, the size is approximately 300,000 sq. Km, our population is one quarter of the population of Nigeria, the region is not only the most fertile ground in Nigeria but has the most abundant resources than anywhere in Nigeria.
“We have surveyed the political space to identify a presidential flagbearer with the capacity and commitment to chart a new course for a new Nigeria.
“Talking about a new Nigeria, someone took a bold step and chose to be different, he chose not to be part of political shenanigans to become the standard bearer of a political party.
“The person took that bold step that is changing the political narrative of the country. That person is Peter Obi.
“He planted the seed of a new political movement.
“He watered the movement with renewed consciousness with his credentials and slogan that we should rise and take back our country.
“He has given hope to the youths of this country. He has identified a path for a new Nigeria and to unite all Nigerians.
“We chose Peter Obi as our consensus candidate after considering his track record both in the private and public sectors.
“The former Anambra governor is a leader who believes in the struggle to liberate Nigeria from a consumption economy to a productive economy.
“He ploughed the political landscape with unblemished record of self-attainment, not only did he water it, but he also believes that efficient government service delivery is possible.
“He did it in Anambra state.
“The seed germinated, and he uprooted the weeds and also fertilized it by injecting Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed into the movement as Vice Presidential candidate.”
They, therefore, pledged to work hard to ensure the election of Obi and Baba-Ahmed in the 2023 presidential election, in the interest of the Middle Belt and in the interest of the generality of Nigerians.
