Labour Party presidential campaign spokesman, Kenneth Okonkwo, says former president Olusegun Obasanjo’s endorsement of the party’s candidate, Peter Obi, was based on defined qualities.

Speaking on TVC’s Politics Today on Monday, Mr Okonkwo said “the greatest place in hell will be reserved for those who remain silent in times of moral crises, and Obasanjo has refused to keep silent in times of moral crises”.

Endorsing Mr Obi in a new year statement, former president Obasanjo said, “one other point to make about Peter is that he’s a needle with thread attached to it from north and south and he may not get lost.

“In other words, he has people who can pull his ears, if and when necessary. He is a young and able running mate with a clean track record of achievements both in public and private life.”

Mr Okonkwo further maintained that the endorsement was made because Mr Obasanjo knows that his principal has, among many others, four qualities whoever would govern Nigeria in 2023 must have.

He said these include a clean track record of ability and performance, authentic and realistic vision to determine the future, character and attitudes of a child of God, and physical and mental ability to rule.

“I’ll tell you what Obasanjo saw in Peter Obi, and you will do the matchmaking, and Nigerians will do the judgement. Obasanjo saw a man who can secure and unite this country. He did it in Anambra state, he secured Anambra state from being the worst to the best,” Mr Okonkwo argued.

He assured that Mr Obi will not leave anyone or any group, religion or region behind in his government if he becomes the next president of Nigeria.