2023 Presidential election: Hope rises for Southeast as Labour Party Leaders lobby Peter Obi
By Uthman Salami
The hope for the South-East part of Nigeria to produce the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigerian in the forthcoming 2023 general election has continued to gather momentum just as one of the leading opposition political parties is considering giving Peter Obi the party’s presidential slot.
Though the erstwhile Governor of Anambra State remains a major contender in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reports circulating around indicated that the Northern Caucus of the PDP are in cahoots with Former President’s Camp to produce Atiku Abubakar as the consensus candidate.
One of the key members of Labour Party said some high-ranking officials of the party have begun to consider wooing Peter Obi as the party’s flag-bearer should the main opposition Party (PDP) fail to give him the ticket.
Recall that an investigation by Nigerian NewsDirect, reported during the weekend revealed that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders have allegedly decided to consider the choice of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, as a consensus presidential candidate of the party.
This decision, which leaked to supporters of other aspirants less than 25 days to the party’s presidential primary election, has resulted in threat of mass defection by supporters of aggrieved aspirants from the South such as Peter Obi and others.
Nigerian NewsDirect also reported that consultation by the former president of the Senate and others is being carried out to secure the support of governor’s for the choice of Atiku.
A source in the party confided in Nigerian NewsDirect that, for Atiku not to participate in these consensus consultations was enough pointer that those who were clamouring for this mode of election had been his foot soldiers since onset.
Nigerian NewsDirect also reported that, to facilitate the move for a consensus candidate, former President of the Senate and presidential aspirant, Bukola Saraki, earlier in the week, led other aspirants — Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi and a former Managing Director of FSB International Bank Plc, Mohammad Hayatu-Deen — on a consultative visit to Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa.
The ex-Senate President, during the visit, explained why Northern PDP presidential hopefuls are exploring consensus candidacy ahead of the 2023 general elections.
While speaking with our Correspondents, one of the Executive members of Labour Party, said party members are working hand in glove to woo the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi to contest in the presidential race through the party’s structure.
According to him, members of the party are already perfecting plans to meet with the former vice presidential candidate of PDP before the end of the week.
“We need such a credible Nigerian with a deep understanding of the economy and love for the masses as our Presidential candidate,” he asserted.
The Labour Party Chieftain explained that past achievements of the party during elections have shown that only the best would be presented at state and federal elections such as Presidential, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly elections. For instance, he said that former Governor Olusegun Mimiko won Ondo State Governorship election while Comrade Adams Oshiomole won Edo State Governorship election through the labour party.
“ We can do better when we present credible candidates,” he said.
Recall that the Chidi Ibeh-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo had, last month, said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could be swimming against the moment’s political tide should he decide to work against Igbo Presidency, come 2023.
The group added that Atiku should ponder on the fact that the disintegration of the country was imminent, if the Igbos were denied the Presidency.
According to the statement by the group last month, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide appreciates the unity of purpose demonstrated by the middle belt and Southern leaders, on speaking the truth and establishing the fact that based on equity and fairness in the spirit of one brotherhood (Nigeria) that 2023 should be exclusively reserved for the Igbo, to halt the disintegration adherents and factors threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria beyond 2023.
“Based on this circumstance on the ground, any promotion of Northern aspirants after 8 years of President Buhari from any individual, is callous, voracious and selfish.
“Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar’s boastful stance of winning the 2023 PDP Presidential ticket, is a nostalgic belief that has decorated him as a desperate politician swimming against the political currents and tides of the moment.
“Atiku has need to read the mood of the nation ahead of 2023, and this miscalculation may retire him from partisan politics in 2023. Atiku has the constitutional rights to aspire for the office of President in 2023, but one had expected him not to rock the boat now that the odds are against him based on his age and his region.
“He should not fight dirty or appear desperate for the presidency, rather it’s time for him to voluntarily quit partisan politics and take his rightful place in history as an Elder statesman without being dishonoured and disgraced.”
