Peter Obi says he’s not leaving Labour Party, blames Tinubu’s govt for crises in LP and PDP, and hints at cleansing up the system. Full story inside.
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) within the 2023 basic elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has damaged his silence on the continuing political realignments forward of the 2027 elections—making it clear he has no intention of dumping the LP for any coalition. In a daring declaration that might reshape the opposition technique, Obi accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of masterminding inner crises inside each the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Talking at a political hangout in Abuja on Thursday, Obi dismissed rumours that he was planning to desert the LP in favour of a proposed “mega coalition” of opposition forces. He affirmed, in unequivocal phrases, that he would stay a member of the Labour Party and contest future elections below its platform.
“I’ll nonetheless proceed to run within the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party,” Obi acknowledged.
In a extra explosive a part of his remarks, Obi mentioned: “What is going on within the Labour Party and the PDP is attributable to the federal government, quote me anyplace.”
The previous Anambra State governor didn’t mince phrases in alleging that the federal authorities is actively fueling disunity inside opposition events to weaken any credible problem to Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027. Obi’s claims have sparked fierce debates throughout political and civil society areas, particularly given the fragile coalition talks at the moment ongoing amongst opposition leaders.
Referencing previous expertise below late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Obi mentioned, “We had an issue in our occasion earlier than, up to now. Yar’Adua was the President. I went to him then; he referred to as the INEC chairman (Prof. Maurice Iwu) and informed him I are not looking for any downside in any occasion. We had been pressured to repair it.”
Obi additionally used the chance to problem Nigerians to take management of their electoral future by guaranteeing their votes depend. He emphasised that whereas occasion brokers are essential, the last word energy lies with the voters themselves.
He additional advocated for the introduction of a retirement age for politicians, arguing that the political class is overdue for generational renewal.
“I’ll be 65 by 2027. I don’t need to be working round in my 70s. We have to create house for youthful leaders,” Obi added.
He additionally criticized the dysfunction in Nigerian occasion politics, noting that sturdy democracies thrive on practical events and vibrant opposition.
“However in the present day, in all of the events, there are issues; these are deliberate issues attributable to the system. These are a number of the issues I need to clear up if I’ve the chance,” he declared.
“Events will operate very nicely as a result of you can’t have a system working with no sturdy opposition.”
Obi’s hard-hitting remarks have raised questions on the way forward for the much-anticipated opposition alliance. Will different events nonetheless forge forward with out him, or will his refusal trigger a collapse of the proposed coalition? Solely time will inform—however what is for certain is that Peter Obi shouldn’t be backing down.
