I’ll withdraw assist if Peter Obi runs as VP in 2027 – Utomi

Political economist, Prof. Pat Utomi, has mentioned that former Labour Party presidential candidate within the 2023 basic election, Peter Obi, will contest the presidency in 2027, however famous that he would withdraw his assist if Obi agrees to run as a vice-presidential candidate.

Utomi made the touch upon Thursday night throughout an interview on Channels Tv’s Politics In the present day programme.

Recall that Obi introduced his formal defection from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress in Enugu on Wednesday.

On the occasion, the previous presidential candidate, who positioned third within the 2023 basic election, polling about six million votes, mentioned his transfer to the ADC marked the start of a journey to “rescue our nation and set it on the trail of correct socio-economic growth.”

Nevertheless, some supporters and critics, together with the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, have questioned the transfer, elevating issues concerning the zoning of the occasion’s presidential candidacy, notably with the membership of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the identical occasion.

Talking on the programme, Utomi dominated out a vice-presidential slot for Obi, saying he would “stroll away” if the previous Anambra State governor turned a vice-presidential candidate.

“I can let you know that Peter Obi will contest for the presidency. The day he turns into someone’s vice chairman, I stroll away from his nook. I can let you know that for a truth,” he mentioned.

Utomi additionally argued that age limits must be set for presidential candidates, capped at 70 years, saying many candidates seen the workplace of the president as a “retirement house”, whereas criticising the administrations of former President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu.

“One thing vital about this election to remember is that the Nigerian presidency has develop into a retirement house the place folks go for the Nigerian state to pay their medical payments. It’s not acceptable.

“They don’t have the health to run the nation. The final one, and the present one, have primarily been government-in-absentia leaders.

“I, Pat Utomi, am insisting that I’ll canvass to the Nigerian those that no one over the age of 70 ought to run for an government place, whether or not it’s governor or president,” he concluded.