Obi said this when he visited the family of late Biafra warlord, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, as part of his ongoing nationwide consultation.
The Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, has said ahead of the 2023 general elections, the most important aspect for him is to go round political and religious leaders and “you plead for their blessings.”
Obi said this when he visited the family of late Biafra warlord, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, as part of his ongoing nationwide consultation.
The former Anambra governor was received at the residence of the renowned Igbo leader in Enugu by his widow, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, on Saturday.
Obi was quoted to have said that it was important for him to visit every leader in the country for their blessing and support, since he needed everybody to clearly understand his good intentions for the nation.
"Of course for me", Obi said, "to do anything especially as I am going around now, it is necessary that I have to come and meet my leaders and leaders exist in various spheres of life."
The Labour Party candidate who had junketed around past Nigerian leaders across the country, including former Presidents, Olusegun Obasanjo, Abdulsalam Abubakar, Ibrahim Babangida, said, “For me, the most important thing is going around, whether it is a political leader or a religious leader. You plead for their blessings. I need everybody’s blessings.
“You need everyone to understand you; you must elucidate what you are doing to them and be able to say, I came for this purpose and that is why I am here to see the great Ojukwu’s family.
“I know with her (Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu) own approval and support, comes the approval of Ezeigbo, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, wherever he is praying for us,” he said.
Obi said that he had met most Igbo leaders and “I am their son”, adding: “So, if you see your son doing well and breaking new grounds; you only have to encourage his effort.”
“I have met with most of our leaders. I am consulting with all of them,” he added.
Responding, Ambassador Ojukwu said that among other achievements Obi recorded in Anambra as governor was putting to an end to the era of god-fatherism in the state.
“What we are moving towards is a very defining and decisive moment in Nigeria’s political history. We are seeing a momentum like we have never seen before in the political landscape of the country.
“And we are seeing a Nigerian of Igbo extraction who has invaded the socio-cultural and political landscape like a hurricane.
“Of course, Mr Peter Obi, we know of his capacity having been the first two-term governor in the history of Anambra State,” she said.