Peter Obi’s ‘unceremonious’ exit from ADC left Southeast disadvantaged, confused - Okonkwo

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Okonkwo, has voiced concerns that Peter Obi's "unceremonious" exit from the party left the South-East region disadvantaged and confused during the selection of the vice presidential candidate.

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The person that represented the southeast in that calculation left unceremoniously before the conclusion of the process, that left southeast disadvantaged and confused, and then immediately Peter Obi exited, it was as if that position that would have been given to Southeast was vacant.

Okonkwo explained that a candidate representing the South-East had intended to run for president but withdrew before the primary's conclusion. This withdrawal, he said, created a void that was difficult to fill due to electoral laws. These laws prevented parties from selecting running mates who had not been members for at least 21 days prior to the primary. This excluded prominent figures like Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

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Some beautiful names were dropped off. You talked about Abaribe, you talked about Ngozi Okonjo, you talked about some nice names, but those names, they were no longer members of ADC.

He clarified that his earlier comments were not a personal objection to Rotimi Amaechi, who is Igbo, but rather a concern about geopolitical balance. Okonkwo highlighted that the South-East has not had a president or vice president since 1999. He stated he is now satisfied with the party's explanation for Amaechi's selection and that internal discussions are ongoing to address any remaining issues.

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The South-East has not produced a president or vice president since 1999.

"We are now one big and happy family. ADC is going to form the next government of Nigeria, and Atiku will be the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the grace of God," Okonkwo declared, expressing confidence in the party's future success.

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We are now one big and happy family. ADC is going to form the next government of Nigeria, and Atiku will be the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the grace of God.