Doyin Okupe, a former spokesperson to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has encouraged Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, Dele Momodu, among other presidential hopefuls in the PDP to drop their ambitions and back Mr. Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State for the nation’s top job in 2023.
Mr. Okupe, who had announced his intention to run for president, said he was equally dropping his ambition to back Mr. Obi, while encouraging others to do same.
Mr. Obi had last week, declared his intention to contest for president in 2023, after much persuasions by mostly young Nigerians.
Mr. Okupe, who recently turned 70, announced his decision to withdraw from the race at a press conference in Abeokuta on Wednesday.
Explaining the reason for his decision, Okupe said it was in line with the decision of the Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, which he said, had thrown its weight behind Mr. Obi, a candidate from the Southeast.
According to Mr Okupe, it will only be fair for the PDP to honour the zoning agreement to eliminate the majority against minority syndrome.
He said he has abandoned his ambition and conceded same to the Southeast in the spirit of fairness and equity, even though “I was the first to declare for presidency in Nigeria.”
“I turned 70 years a few days ago, and I have made a covenant with my maker that for the rest of my life, I shall uphold this spirit and principles of our forebears as manifestly displayed and represented in our collective socio-political heritage – The Afenifere,” he said.
“Two weeks ago, Pa Ayo Adebanjo called me for the first time into his bedroom and admonished me that no matter what circumstances we Yorubas find ourselves in the ever gyrating political circus of Nigeria, I must uphold the truth and follow the path of equity and justice.
“In aligning myself with the wish of our elders and in the interest of equity and justice, I publicly admit that the 2023 political race must be conceded to the South-East; that is, the Igbos.
“I, therefore, here and now proclaim that I am, as I have said publicly several times, withdrawing from the presidential race and I am declaring my support for the best aspirant not only in Igboland, but in Nigeria as a whole.
“I and my supporters within and outside the PDP are teaming up with His Excellency, Peter Obi.
“At the same time, I want to enjoin all other aspirants from the South, Chief Dele Momodu, Senator Anyim, and His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike to come with me and let us team up with Peter Obi. So we can give the South the best possible chance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I am not fanning the embers of division, rather I am by this action, lightening the torch of unity by establishing political stability on the pillars of truth and justice upon which the Bible tells us that even the throne of the Almighty God is founded,” Mr Okupe said