BY VICTOR NWEGEDE
As the 2023 general elections draw closer, individuals have continued to give the quality portraits that must be possessed by any person eying the presidential position so as to win Nigerians' support to massively vote him/her to steer the apex position in the country.
Ogbuatu gave the hint, following the clamour across geopolitical zones and party lines for Governor Umahi to make himself available for President, come 2023, saying that the call has gathered greater momentum even among the clergy, the professionals, technocrats, the academic and the masses.
"People's opinions are being expressed that if Governor Umahi eventually makes himself available for President in 2023, Nigerians will vote him massively," he said.
The APC Scribe also said: "These opinions were first expressed by the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode when he stated in an interview with press men in Abuja that Governor Umahi is one Nigerian whom Nigerians will massively vote for across party lines if he makes himself available for President in 2023.
"FFK is a Yoruba man from the Southwest geopolitical zone. His opinion is in tandem with that of other Nigerians from other geopolitical zones. Such solidarity for an Igbo man across tribal and regional divides have never been so profound in our political annals since the nation's political independence in 1960."
Be that as it may, according to Ogbuatu, "for those of us who work with Governor Umahi, these calls to Presidency are not coming to us as a surprise."
He pointed out that: "Governor Umahi is a leader who has carved a niche for himself in public office. Besides his total and amazing unprecedented transformation of Ebonyi State which is ranked and rated best in Nigeria, Governor Umahi had proven himself as a proactive leader in security matters, a peace maker and a consummate public relations guru."
He maintained that with Governor Umahi as President of Nigeria, the national dearth of infrastructures will not only be arrested, violent agitations, terrorism and banditry must die a natural death, because the governor, in his words, 'holds the aces for the accomplishment of these feats.'
More so, Ogbuatu said that, experience has shown that it is more profitable to enthrone a leader who is tested and trusted on a higher leadership pedestal to lead on a larger scale.
"Governor Umahi has given a good account of himself in his leadership of Ebonyi State and every Nigerian can attest to his capacity and capability as incontrovertible facts.
"The Budget Office has also rated him in many areas of leadership as the best. This best needs to be replicated at the national level and Governor Umahi is the answer.
"Nevertheless, without prejudice to those who may have contrary opinions, Governor Umahi is among the best we have in Nigeria based on leadership performance index and he is one who is highly detribalized.
"Only such detribalized Nigerian can give us the Nigeria of our dream. Little wonder voices are resonating from North, West, South and East, calling on him to make himself available for the presidency in 2023 and garner massive support and massive votes at the polls.
"Again, another latitude and leverage which Governor Umahi enjoys is the God factor. The Governor is a leader who leads with the fear of God. As one who believes in the dictates of God, God has been guiding him and directing his affairs.
"As a leader after God's own heart, Governor Umahi keeps to his covenant with the divine. A case in point is his massive transformation of Ebonyi State within six years on the saddle as Governor of Ebonyi State, whilst others before him hardly left a lasting legacy even as they did their best.
"So, if anyone is still a doubting Thomas; let Governor Umahi and other presidential candidates go to the polls in 2023 and the Thomas will affirm that Governor Umahi has all it takes to coast home to victory.
"To this end, we join other voices to call on our dear Governor to make himself available for President as a leader who has the competence, the criteria, the charisma and the pedigree to take Nigeria to the promised land," he said.
