Photo: Nwobodo, Obi, and other Igbo elders during the visit
By: Ndidi Okafor
Elder statesman and former governor of the old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, has endorsed presidential aspirant Mr. Peter Obi, describing him as a leader who is “respectable and acceptable to all.”
Nwobodo made the declaration during a New Year courtesy visit by Obi and a delegation of prominent Igbo leaders to his country home in Amechi Awkunanaw, Enugu State.
Speaking at the gathering, the former governor, who noted that he now speaks as an elder statesman rather than an active politician, said the Igbo people deserve better positioning and representation in Nigeria after decades of what he described as an unfavourable arrangement.
He urged Obi to remain steadfast in his presidential ambition.
“I have known this young man when he was governor and we have been friends,” Nwobodo said. “I believe that, God willing, whatever we have asked for, God will do it. Obi is a candidate who is respectable and acceptable to all.”
The elder statesman also reiterated his long-held desire to see an Igbo person emerge as president of Nigeria, questioning the place of the Igbo in the Nigerian project.
“I have always said that we want to know our position in Nigeria; are we strangers?” he asked. “We are among the people who formed this country. Nnamdi Azikiwe was there, and he would be angry in his grave that what he fought for has not been achieved.
We continue to pray that one day an Igbo man will be president of Nigeria.”
The delegation to Nwobodo’s residence included Senator Ben Obi, Senator Sam Egwu, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo and Senator Gil Nnaji, among other Igbo leaders.
Responding, Peter Obi said the visit was primarily to extend New Year greetings and seek prayers from the elder statesman.
He explained that political discussions would come at a later time.
“We came to wish him a happy New Year and to pray that God Almighty will grant him good health and many fruitful years ahead,” Obi said. “We will come back to discuss politics and the way forward, and he will pray for us.”
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Senator Ben Obi described Nwobodo as the “godfather of South-East politics,” stressing the importance of the courtesy visit. He noted that the visit was not intended for political engagement but to honour the elder statesman and extend New Year felicitations.
“We agreed to visit him on January 6 simply to wish him a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year,” he said. “This is not a political visit.”
Senator Ben Obi added that future visits would be more detailed, including briefings on political developments such as Peter Obi’s declaration for the presidency on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He described the visit as part of an annual tradition, reflecting the enduring respect and bond between the leaders and Senator Nwobodo.
