The South-East and South-South Professionals (SESSP), on Thursday, formally endorse the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as its sole candidate in the February 25 election.
The SESSP position was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Board of Trustee member namely Hannibal Uwaifo Esq., Chief Ireke Kalu Onuma, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju and Mr. Nuhu Yakubu.
The body of professionals said after a careful examination of all the presidential candidates and their records, consider Obi the most worthy.
They said:
“In a few days, the Nation will have another opportunity to choose the
Leaders that would drive the ship of the Nigerian State for the next four
years.
“This election circle is like none that we have witnessed in the past 24
years of this present Republic.
The reasons for this assertion are many, suffice us to mention but a few.
Firstly, we have more eligible voters in the age bracket of 18 and 21 years
who are voting for the first time and are positively active and concerned
about the outcome of the elections.
“The other is the fact that for the first time Nigeria has a choice outside the regular choices of “this or the other”,
that makes up the traditional political parties
- The SESSPN, having followed, reviewed and considered the various options provided by the parties, the candidates and their respective manifestos, make the following recommendations to our members, the peoples of South East -South South Zones, and the entire progressive citizens of our country:
I. Nigeria needs and deserves a break from the past and from the now dysfunctional beaten path. With regards to ethnicity and religion the country is in a polarized state and therefore there is a need to have a leader who will unify country based on equity, justice and fairness. - II. The possibility of a total collapse stares us in the face, hence a need to
choose a Leader capable of restoring faith in the Country and hope in
each citizen. We also need to choose a leader who would be
acceptable to the outside world as that level of comfort will lead to
business relations and attract investors to boost our economy. - III. With an economy that’s hitched on consumption and a deficit that has
reduced the average Nigerians to paupers, we need an informed,
capable and disciplined leader that has the potentials to rescue this
almost failed State. - IV. We, without reservation, consider an ethical, value driven trait to be
the character of the person most qualified to serve our country at this
point in our history. - V. Therefore, as an association representative of 11 States, and over
sixty million people, we recommend that our people vote for Mr.
Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the next President of Nigeria. - 2. We call on our People across the nation to be prepared to exercise their
civil rights by coming out enmasse to cast their votes and also protect it.
Every rights come with a measure of responsive responsibility which means
that, not to vote when you can and not defend your votes when you must is
simply irresponsible and would only hurt us all. - 3. There have been reports of threats to lives and properties across our
zones and in many parts of the country. These are real threats to our lives
and a bigger threat to our future. - I. The leadership of SESSPN is not ignorant of these threats and it’s
existential challenges
II. We are doing all we can in consultation with the proper authorities to ensure we come out and vote without molestations and harassment.
III. We call on all traditional rulers, town union leaderships and youth
groups/age grade across our states and communities to properly and
adequately coordinate within their communities to mitigate against
any nefarious acts against our peoples.
IV. Members of the SESSPN are enjoined to come out en masse to mobilize and drive this noble cause.
V. Our immediate fear of harm and possibly more are real, so also is the possibility of enslavement to a system geared at destroying all hopes for and of the future. We must choose freedom. No other choice is acceptable.