OpenLife Nigeria reports that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, on Monday, sought northern support for his ambition to succeed the President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
He also used the opportunity to unveil a critical plan towards food sufficiency in Nigeria if elected president in 2023.
The candidate unveiled his plans at an interactive session with the Arewa Joint Committee, which was held at the Arewa House, Kaduna.
At the forum were leaders of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, Jamiyyar Matan Arewa, the Centre for Historical Development Research, as well as the Arewa Research and Documentation Project.
The committee hosted the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar on Saturday.
Obi said he would rescue Nigeria from its status as a failed state if elected president in 2023.
He argued that when a country was no longer in control of the economy and security, such a country is nothing but a failed state.
The ex-Anambra State governor added that he would positively change the narrative, noting that Nigeria was not bereft of ideas but lacked institutional and the political will to effect genuine change that would better the lives of Nigerians.
Obi declared that he is committed to unlocking the greatness of the country and lifting her from a consuming country to a producing one while reiterating that insecurity would be a thing of the past under his administration.
This, he said, would be done through the creation of employment opportunities for youths who were being used to perpetrate social vices across the country.
Among other things, the LP flag bearer said that he would bring a transformative government adding that the greatest asset of Nigeria which is in the north is vast uncultivated land in the north. He regretted that the vast land has been taken over by bandits but promised to unlock Nigeria.
Specifically, Obi explained that to address the prevailing food insufficiency in Nigeria, his administration, if voted into office, would bring Nigeria back to life. “All banks will be shareholders in the Bank of Agriculture where our farmers can directly assess loans.”
With easy and accessible loan, farmers, under his administration, would be sufficiently equipped to explore full agriculture potential, a development that would enthrone food sufficiency.