A leading aspirant of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Mr Caleb Okeke-Enyobi, has said that the political style of the former Labour Party presidential candidate during the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, influenced his decision to join politics.

Okeke-Enyobi stated this on Tuesday during a ceremony organised to officially open the NDC office he procured for Umudim Ward II, held in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

He noted that politics had never been interesting to him until Obi emerged on the national scene, adding that his leadership style had exposed him to broader political engagement.

He declared that “The Obi/Kwankwaso ticket that NDC is presenting to Nigerians represents that important aspect of healing that Nigerians have been looking for. The healing speaks to the Igbo nation, who since 1970, when the civil war ended, have not been able to serve at the highest office in this country.”

According to the NDC House of Representatives hopeful, “I am influenced by the brand of politics that Peter Obi practises. Politics has never been interesting to me until Peter Obi came to the national scene. When he was governor, I was not quite mature enough to follow politics. Now that I am through with my studies—ten years after my university education—I think I am ready to take on the world.”

He pledged to ensure the provision of core services, improved welfare, and development in his constituency if elected.

“Again, I am always inspired to serve my people. I came into Nnewi in 2020, and since then, it has been service after service. I am presently serving my people as director of Nnewi Umudim. In my community, Umudim, I am currently serving as Director of the Umudim Library. I also serve in other non-institutional capacities, organising young people. Some of these services are to ensure that the talents of young people are harnessed,” he said.

“Moreover, the motto of NDC speaks to my personal core value, which is service. I had not seen the NDC motto when I started serving my people. Now, since the NDC came and began calling for service, I have taken the opportunity to further serve my people.”

“The brand of politics that Peter Obi practises and the fact that I am a service-oriented person are the two factors that informed my decision to contest,” he added.

“Many young people, including myself, have been influenced and mentored by the type of developmental politics that Peter Obi practises.”

“The regular Nigerian politician has been applying old solutions to modern problems, which makes things difficult. This is the time for younger people to hold political offices and bring fresh ideas for solving the country’s problems,” he said.

He further stated that the NDC represents a new political culture in the country and called on Nigerians to embrace the party.

“Again, NDC is a bridge between the old and the new. It is the bridge through which young people will cross to take their rightful place in the leadership of this country. Nigerians, especially young people, should see NDC as a solution of last resort,” he said.

Earlier, the chairman of the party in Nnewi North, Prince Austin Onyekaba, praised the aspirant for taking the lead by procuring and setting up the first NDC office in the area, describing the development as a new dawn.

While describing the party’s presidential aspirant, Peter Obi, as a good man, the chairman said the party deliberately wants an Igbo man to have a shot at the presidency of the country.

He expressed gratitude that every effort made to truncate Obi’s chances failed.

Speaking also, a stakeholder and one of the leaders of the party in Nnewi North, Ego Nnewi (Anyanwu Igbonine), urged the Igbo nation in particular and Nigerians in general to take the NDC seriously as a political party that will help to salvage the country. (Nigerian Tribune)