Patriots for Dr Ogbonnaya Onu organised a Press Conference to drum support and galvanize the effort of well-meaning Nigerians for the actualization and emergence of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 2023 today in Abuja.
Briefing the Newsmen on the significance of the Press Conference, the President of the group, “Patriots for Dr Ogbonnaya Onu”, and the former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics), University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said, “the Patriots are enlightened Nigerians with a good sense of discernment, who are passionate about advancing the development of Nigeria to a more prosperous country for its citizens.”
He further said that “the election of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu’ as President will lead to equity, national cohesion and justice and as a detribalized, honest, nationalist and silent achiever who believes in meritocracy as against sentiments and has the capacity to pull Nigeria from the brinks”
According to Prof. Hakeem, “Dr Ogbonnaya Onu’s political career and spans over 3 decades and is the most senior political office holder amongst all the aspirants currently jostling for job. He is sound in mind and body and one of the most educated aspirants having bagged a First Class Honours Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos and a PhD from the reputable University of California, Berkeley, USA.”
Prof. Hakeem who said, “in the academia, he was the pioneer Head of Department of Chemical Engineering and Member of Senate and Governing Council of the University of PortHarcourt before his foray into politics, also said he was the foundation member of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and the National Chairman; he carried it’s flag in 2013 to the union with Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) along with others to form the All Progressive Congress (APC).”
Buttressing on rotational Presidency Prof. Hakeem said”, Rotational Presidency has always carried with a strong moral force that can threaten the sovereign integrity of Nigeria and is a pragmatic means formally adopted political parties prior to Nigeria’s independence to stabilize the country’s democracy from cleavage along ethno- religious lines as it creates a sense of belonging for all tribes. since the advent of the fourth republic, apart from the south-East and North-central, other geopolitical zones of Nigeria have had a shot at the Presidency.”
He maintained that APC and PDP have already zoned their party’s National Chairmanship position to the North-Central and barring any ‘extenuating circumstances’ should choose their Presidential flag bearer from the South-East.
Prof. Hakeem further charge all political parties to rise above partisanship and regional sentiments and as a matter of exigency cede their Presidential ticket in the 2023 election to the South- East.
The Press Conference which attracted well meaning Nigerians including Patriots for Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, and members of the Press also has the theme: “Onu-the President Nigeria Needs”.