A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe has berated the 2023 presidential ambition of the former Governor of Anambra, Peter Obi.
Igbokwe who has publicly displayed his support for APC national leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to emerge as Nigeria’s next president after President Muhammadu Buhari, said the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Obi was overrated as a leader.
He mocked Obi over a comment credited to him which says the government can’t use infrastructure to drive economic growth.
The comment credited to Obi about Buhari’s government was quoted thus: “You can’t use infrastructure to drive economic growth.
“You invest in education and the SME (Small, Medium Enterprises) sector instead to deal with poverty.”
Reacting in a Facebook post on Friday, Igbokwe said the Labour Party presidential candidate was just a trader.
Igbokwe wrote: “Somebody who wants to be the President of Nigeria is telling you that infrastructure does not drive the economy in the 21st Century and you are taking that person seriously. Peter [Obi] is overrated in Nigeria. He is just a trader.
“Obiano built the Anambra International Airport, built the Awka flyover bridge. Which one did Mr Obi build in 8 years?“
Meanwhile, Peter Obi on Thursday distanced himself from the claim stating that Anambra state’s investment in SAB Miller has grown to $100 million.
The former governor of Anambra State cleared the air in a letter to the Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo released through his media aide, Valentine Obienyem.
Obi in his reaction blamed one of the youths, not under their control trying to glorify their hero (Obi).
The presidential candidate in an interview in 2018 revealed that he invested $20 million in International Breweries on behalf of Anambra State as a governor.
Obi while speaking on the claim of the youth in the letter said, “When the news of the multiplication of Obi’s investment in SABMiller was published, I knew it did not come from you. I made it clear that it was not circulated by Obi’s Media, but probably by one of the youths, not under our control, but eager to throw in anything that glorified their hero–Obi.
“Do not judge Obi’s supporters based on these people’s cathartic reactions.
“It was saddening when one of the people you later appointed an aide, in a bashful, pugilistic manner, said I was the one that published it. When your media aide rebutted it, I said he did what he was supposed to do.
“My argument was simple: Even if the news was true, it is wrong to put into your mouth what you did not say.
“I read the recent rebuttal by your Commissioner on the subject, what do I say about it? I only want to assure you that Obi’s camp is supporting you. We want you to succeed and cannot be part of any plot against you.
“Some people are angry because we have chosen to identify with you; it is about time they realised that our only interest is recovering the eight years of retrogression,” the letter added.
“Anybody supporting Obi that fights you is on his own. I say this with all sincerity, especially knowing the brief I received from Mr Peter Obi on this.
“Obi is ready to offer any support that will redeem our state and set it on the path of progress again.”
