Obi’s experience not ‘deep enough’ to be president – Okowa
Delta State Governor and vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Okowa, says the experience of Labour Party flagbearer, Peter Obi as governor is not “deep enough” to become Nigeria’s president.
In an interview with BBC pidgin, Okowa said he, as governor, is learning from Atiku who was a former vice president and believes Obi will also face the same challenge.
He also said the former Anambra State governor will not have any bad thing to say about the PDP having just left the party for the LP.
“I did not say he won’t have any votes, he will have. But what I’m saying is that he’s not a new candidate. It has not been long since he left PDP. You know he was in APGA before, from APGA he came to PDP. It hasn’t been long since he left (PDP) so he cannot say anything about PDP because that’s where he was before.
“Some of us are still here. At every party, there are good people and bad people. But today’s Nigeria is very troubled and we need the right person. That is why I am appealing to our youths; be wise and vote well. They should not be blinded by the concept of a false change because that is how they raved on Jonathan in 2015.
“His (Obi) previous experience is not enough for this one (presidency), it will be hard. His experience is not deep enough. Even as a current governor ruling in a time of crisis, I know how hard it is. I even want to learn under Atiku because he has experience with the federal government. The thing is not easy. For them to have handled the economy at that time and made it something better, offering hope, creating jobs, and filtering the society, was not easy because it’s a bigger thing. So, someone is supposed to learn through that. If you look at Obi’s experience you’ll know it’s small,” he said.
On the disagreement between Atiku and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, the PDP vice presidential candidate said they are finding a way to talk to Wike who he called his friend.
“We’ve been talking internally, everything is being settled. You know that when something happens and everybody can’t agree, it’s settled bit by bit. That is what we’re still working on from the inside. We are finding a way to talk. I’ll say, he is my friend, I am his friend, and we will find a way to talk.
“Atiku has said his own version of what happened, and I am sure that version he said is the true position. I am also not saying that Wike is lying, but if someone carries their anger, it is important to air your views. For us in the party, it’s about how to bring everybody together; how all of us can work together. Wike is still a very important member of the party. He has worked so hard for the party as many of us have worked hard too, so we pray that everything comes together and we talk. I’m sure very soon we’ll be sitting down,”Okowa added.
