The Labour Party’s Nationwide Working Committee, led by Julius Abure, has expressed enthusiasm over Peter Obi’s declaration that he’ll contest the 2027 presidential election below the celebration’s banner.
The celebration’s Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, disclosed this throughout an interview with The PUNCH on Sunday, Could 25, following Obi’s affirmation over the weekend that he stays a Labour Party member and intends to run once more on its platform.
Obi made the announcement whereas addressing supporters in a viral video. Requested which celebration he deliberate to contest with in 2027, he stated, “I’ll nonetheless proceed to run within the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party.”
Ifoh stated the information has lifted spirits inside the celebration. “We’re excited concerning the information. If now we have waited all these whereas for 2 years with all of the issues that occurred, we are able to nonetheless look forward to tomorrow and the following, for the entire thing to crystallise. Then we are able to now start to speak about the best way ahead,” he stated.
“Let me begin by saying politics is all about curiosity. The curiosity of each Nigerian, together with the Labour Party, is to have a authorities that may assist Nigerians come out of the doldrums and never enter into extra crises, whether or not political, social or {economic}.
“I consider there are such a lot of Nigerians who’ve that capability and who also can assist Nigeria come out. In 2023, we gave Peter Obi the ticket and he didn’t disappoint. Relatively, the system disillusioned them.”
On the strained relationship between Obi and the Abure-led faction, Ifoh confirmed that whereas the traces of communication are usually not completely closed, talks have remained casual.
“Properly, as I stated elsewhere, the road of communication is just not fully blocked. There are talks, although not formal. However earlier than the 2027 ballot, don’t neglect that now we have Anambra elections just a few months from now.
“Obi is from Anambra and we anticipate him to play a key function in ensuring that the Labour Party wins the state. So, there was rapprochement right here and there. I feel on the proper time, the events will meet and thrash all of the variations. From there, we’ll transfer on.
“If he so needs, as he stated, that he’ll run the following election below the Labour Party, I feel it’s factor for us within the celebration. It’s a win-win state of affairs for everybody and we wait to see how we act the speak,” he added.
READ ALSO: 2027 Elections: LP Will Contest With out Coalition — Abure
Obi’s declaration seems to be sending ripples via the opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
Reacting to the information, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and a member of the coalition, Babachir Lawal, stated, “I don’t know what’s in his thoughts. You’ll want to ask Obi himself if you see him.
“I simply learn it at present too that he might be contesting in LP,” he acknowledged.
Within the video message, Obi criticised what he described as government-fuelled crises inside political events. “What is occurring within the Labour Party and the PDP is attributable to the federal government, quote me wherever,” he stated.
“We had an issue in our celebration earlier than, prior to now. Yar’Adua was the President. I went to him then; he known as the INEC chairman (Prof. Maurice Iwu) and instructed him I don’t need any downside in any celebration. We have been compelled to repair it.
“However at present, in all of the events, there are issues; these are deliberate issues attributable to the system. These are among the issues I wish to clear up if I’ve the chance.
“Events will operate very nicely as a result of you may’t have a system working and not using a robust opposition.”
He additionally urged Nigerians not to surrender hope for change. “Even when brokers are paid by political events to take care of their pursuits, the last word determination about whether or not the folks’s votes rely rests with voters,” Obi stated.
He appealed to Nigerian youths to not be discouraged. Based on him, efforts to enhance governance will all the time face pushback from these benefiting from the present system.
Obi added {that a} retirement age must be launched for politicians. He stated he could be 65 by the following election and doesn’t intend to run for workplace in his 70s.
