Anybody who knows Peter Obi can confirm he is a man of few friends. But when he values friendship he is a man who nurtures relationship that can last a very longtime . As a former governor of Anambra State ,he has a lot of followers in Anambra and their is no doubt some of these people will like to follow him to Abuja if he eventually becomes the president of Nigeria. Among these people, there are seven of them from Anambra who enjoys very close relationship with the former governor of Anambra state.
They are from Anambra and have earned Peter Obi’s trust and respect because of their intelligence, achievements character and work ethics. They include politicians, academia, technocrats, businessmen who will assist in taking critical decisions that will affect millions of Nigerians. ANAMBRA PEOPLE captured some of them;
Val Ozigbo: was former PDP candidate during the 2021 Anambra governorship election. Most Anambra political pundits believe that Peter Obi was largely instrumental to his emergence as the party’s candidate during the governorship primaries because of their closeness. Val has continued to maintain the cordial relationship that exist between him and the Labour Party presidential candidate which has recently seen him defect to Labour party. Apart from joining the Labour Party, he is believed to be among Peter’s strongest allies who call shots in the presidential campaign organisation. He was appointed the special adviser on technology and fund mobilization. He is one face you will always find with Peter almost everywhere he goes in Nigeria and outside Nigeria. Because he is a very intelligent person, it is believed that Peter will keep him close in his government considering the key position he holds in his campaign council.
Oseloka Obaze: a former UN diplomat was brought by Peter Obi to succeed him as the governor of Anambra State. To learn the ropes of politics, he was appointed the secretary to the state government under Peter Obi even though the plan would later not materialize. Peter Obi later positioned him and helped him emerge PDP’s candidate during the 2017 governorship election to unseat the then governor Obiano who has fallen out with Peter Obi. Though he came third during the election, it has not deterred him from continuing to throw his weight to any cause Peter Obi has interest in. Obaze was recently appointed into Labour Party presidential campaign organization as the deputy director-general/campaign manager, second in-command to the DG, Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organization.In this position, he wields a lot of power and it is believed that based on his international contact, he will play important role in Peter Obi’s government if he wins the presidential election. This is equally notwithstanding the fact that the Obaze family has very strong ties with Peter Obi even before he became a governor.
Prof. Stella Okunna: a thoroughbred academia was Peter Obi’s commissioner extraordinary and plenipotentiary. This is in the sense that she was the most powerful cabinet member in Peter Obi’s government with two powerful positions as commissioner for economic planning and budget and chief of staff to the government. In fact, Prof. Okunna is one person no public office holder will like to do away with even after government because of her intelligence, creativity, resourcefulness, contact and character. These maybe the reasons Peter has refused to let her go almost a decade after leaving government. She has continued to be part of Peter Obi’s programme whether they are political or otherwise. There is no doubt that she will be among the egg heads that will drive and take critical decision in Peter Obi’s government.
Victor Umeh: the erstwhile APGA chieftain and former senator used to be one of Peter Obi’s closest political allies before their relationship went sour. They later reunited this year when Sen. Umeh lost APGA senatorial ticket for Anambra Central. According to Sen. Umeh, Peter Obi saw the ill treatment metted on him by APGA and brought him to Labour Party. Umeh has not hidden his happiness about the reunion with his former political ally and major benefactor. Today, he follows Peter Obi around and there is every possibility that when Peter Obi becomes the president, Umeh, if he succeeds in his senatorial ambition will be among the few elected political office holders that will be close to the president.
Benjamin Uba: is a business mogul and Peter Obi’s ‘Man Friday’. He is Peter Obi’s childhood’s friend and doubles as his business partner. There is no important place Peter Obi goes without taking him along. Everybody who knows Peter Obi can always confirm that Benjamin Uba will be among the most influential people in his government.
Alex Ejesieme SAN: He’s from the same community with Peter Obi and has been his personal lawyer lately. As personal lawyer to the president if it so happens,he will have the ears of the president and will give him some level of relevance.
Val Obienyem: Even though not visible,he has always served as his spokesperson in government and outside. He’s among the closest person to the labour party presidential candidate and even if he doesn’t secure appointment as the Spokesperson to the president will be trusted to handle other sensitive position that will bring him closer to his boss if he eventually wins.
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