There are indications that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 election, Atiku Abubakar, has settled for former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi as his running mate.
A member of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation confirmed the report.
He said the agreement was reached earlier today.
Nigerians have started reacting to the news
Congratulations to DR PETER OBI on your selection as Vice Presidential candidate to THE WAZIRIN ADAMAWA ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR… Best of luck to both of you… pic.twitter.com/j5N1Ih4CNf
— Dele Momodu Ovation (@DeleMomodu) October 12, 2018
Looking forward to @MBuhari debating @atiku and @ProfOsinbajo vs Peter Obi. #NigeriaDecides2019
— Banks Omishore (@MrBanksOmishore) October 12, 2018
Congrats my friend and brother, Mr. Peter Obi on your selection as vice presidential candidate to H.E @atiku. Without doubt, this is a solid team that will lift Nigeria to her rightly place amongst the assembly of nations. #LetsGetNigeriaWorkingAgain pic.twitter.com/Es4zSdH8AA
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) October 12, 2018
Born on July 19, 1961 in Onitsha, Peter Obi is a native of Agulu in Anaocha local government of Anambra state.
He had his secondary school education at Christ the King College, Onitsha and later studied Philosophy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) from 1980 to 1984, among others.
Obi initially ventured into politics in 2003 where he participated in the governorship election of Anambra State under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
He lost to Dr. Chris Ngige then of the PDP (current minister of Labour), whose victory was later upturned by the Supreme Court in Obi’s favour.
Obi was the governor of Anambra from March 17, 2006 to November 2, 2006, when he was impeached by the state’s House of Assembly but his impeachment was later overturned by the court and he returned to his governorship sit from February 9, 2007 till 2010. He was also re-elected for a second term till 2014.
With a lots of business acumen and achievements in his portfolio and having served in various capacities at Fidelity Bank, Guardian Express Bank Plc, Future Views Securities, Paymaster Nigeria and Next International, among others, Obi was notably the youngest Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc before he later became governor.