The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has visited the family of the late Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, as part of his ongoing nationwide consultations.

Mr Obi, former Anambra governor, was received at the residence of the renowned Igbo leader in Enugu by his widow, Bianca Ojukwu, on Saturday.

He said it was vital for him to visit every leader in the country for their blessing and support since he needed everybody to understand his good intentions for the nation clearly. 

“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,” he explained.

“I know with her (Bianca Ojukwu) own approval and support comes the approval of Ezeigbo, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, wherever he is praying for us,” he said.

Mr 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.”

Responding, Mrs Ojukwu said among other achievements Mr Obi recorded in Anambra as governor was putting an end to the era of godfatherism in the state.

According to her, Mr Obi is one of the most progressive, competent and transparent politicians in Nigeria today.

“We are seeing a momentum as we have never seen before in the country’s political landscape.

“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.

Ms Ojukwu noted that Mr Obi’s emergence and acceptance by Nigerians of all ages and walks of life could be likened to a tsunami.

(NAN)