Peter Obi declares support for Okonjo-Iweala’s WTO ambition

Peter Obi

Former vice-presidential candidate Peter Obi has declared his support for Nigeria’s former finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala following her nomination for the post of director-general of World Trade Organisation (WTO).

In a statement on Saturday, Mr Obi stated that Okonjo-Iweala had the knowledge, skills, exposure and experience to successfully direct the affairs of the organisation.

Speaking of her numerous international appointments, Obi said Okonjo-Iweala has been a big player on the international stage on financial matters, and her leadership of the WTO would be fruitful.

The current WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo had earlier announced that he would step down on August 31, 2020, consequent upon which President Muhammadu Buhari nominated Okonjo-Iweala for the position.

Other nominees for the post include Jesús Kuri of Mexico, Abdel-Hamid Mamdouh of Egypt, Tudor Ulianovschi of Moldova, Amina Mohamed of Kenya, Mohammad Al-Tuwaijiri of Saudi Arabia and Liam Fox of the United Kingdom.