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Chimamanda Endorse, Celebrates Obi at 61

Ahead of the 2023 general election, Chimamanda Adichie, a multiple award-winning authors, has endorsed Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, for the number one position.

She gave the endorsement on Tuesday in a statement while congratulating the former governor of Anambra State, who clocked 61 yesterday.

Chimamanda praised Obi in the message posted on social media, referring to him as her “biggest” brother, and she vowed to support him in the upcoming election.

“I cannot wait for February 25, 2023, when I, with personal pride in you and hope for what Nigeria can become, will cast my vote for you and your running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed,” said the 44-year-old Enugu-born author.

Read the full text of the statement below:

Happy Birthday to Peter Obi, my dearest Big Bro:

I will never forget your kindness to my beloved parents. Thank you for the respect you showed them, for your many visits to Abba, where you gave Daddy and Mummy the most precious gifts: your time and attention.

Thank you for walking this still-unbearable grief journey with my siblings and me.

I remember how you regaled Daddy and Mummy with your stories until we started joking about your obsession with the “GDP of Malaysia.” But your obsession spoke of hope: your hope for Nigeria, your belief in what Nigeria could be. A belief that has always been practical, grounded in numbers and reality.

I remember when you came to support me as I was honoured by the United Nations Foundation in New York, and I teased you about the inexpensive hotel you were staying in. You shrugged and said, “it’s just a place to sleep. Why do I need to be in an expensive place?”

And then, only days later, you once again exhibited your incredible generosity to the causes you believe in, and it reminded me of all the hospitals and schools and churches you have supported over the years, and often without fanfare. You have always been clear about what your priorities are, what matters to you, and what you believe should matter, and that is deeply admirable.

I have always admired your humane pragmatism and how you are willing to talk to almost anyone if it brings about a good outcome.

And how you believe in certain ideals without being an ideologue.

And how you see people as people, knowing that human value is not measured in material terms.

And how you can laugh at yourself and laugh when I tease you about your ‘one shoe and one shirt.’

And how you have always been consistent in the core of who you are.

Thank you for your compassion and your circumspection. For your honesty and your humour. Your willingness to acknowledge flaws, yours and others, knowing that nobody is perfect. For your fuss-free kindness and your humility that is never performative.

I am inspired by your intellectual curiosity, your eagerness to learn, and  your genuine love of education (which is why you sought out and honoured Daddy all those years ago when you learned that he was Nigeria’s first professor of statistics.)

Sometimes it is the simplest of language that captures the most complex of things, so I will end with simplicity: You are a good man. You are loved. You are appreciated.

May your eyes continue to light up when you talk about the lovely confident Margaret (Thank God she agreed for you!) and your lovely children, A and E.

May joy follow you and yours always.

Mummy called you her ‘first son,’ my siblings and I call you our ‘big bro,’ and I cannot wait to call you ‘My President.’

I cannot wait for February 25, 2023, when I, with personal pride in you and hope for what Nigeria can become, will cast my vote for you and your running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.

Chukwu dube gi. God Keep you.

With love, Chimamanda.

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