21st May 2024
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, and scores of his supporters on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to the leadership of the party at the national secretariat in Abuja.
The former Anambra governor, wearing a black kaftan and his trademark glasses, was ushered into the complex amid shouts of ‘Obi’ and ‘Our Leader’ from party members, some of whom were dressed in customized LP attires.
Obi was received by the National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure and members of his National Working Committee at about 2:00 pm.
The visit comes barely one week after Obi met behind closed doors with former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, erstwhile governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido and former Senate president, Bukola Saraki over a potential merger ahead of the 2027 election.
Addressing the audience, both the national leader of the party and Abure debunked allegations making the rounds that there were cracks and divisions in the party.
Obi was, however quiet, about possible merger talks that trailed his latest visit to Atiku.
They also urged aggrieved party members to sheathe their swords and consider the survival of the party and Nigerians first above all other interests.
In his speech, the LP chairman reiterated that it was on record that he had never failed to attend any of the presidential flagbearer’s rallies in the build-up to the last election and had since remained committed to the cause of an Obi’s presidency.
He said, “The only rally I missed was the one in Enugu State. And it was as a result of unusual circumstances. All other rallies including the ones we had in Nnewi and Kagoro off the capital city, I joined the presidential candidate to attend those rallies.
“I want to say this very clearly. The convention has come and gone. All those who are still angry with us over the Nnewi convention, we want to appeal to them that they should all come together to work with us to build the party for a new Nigeria that has a vision.
“I believe very strongly that personal interest should be put aside for us to pursue a new Nigeria that will work for all.”
Obi, on the other hand, announced that he was at the secretariat to appeal to all the aggrieved persons concerned in the leadership crisis of the party to bury the hatchet and be united.
The party national leader further expressed concern that Nigerians were passing through difficult times with many unable to afford the necessities of life.
According to him, it was unfortunate politicians and elected officials were always too quick to think about elections, instead of focusing on governance to better the lot of the masses.
While reassuring his supporters that he would work with the new leadership of the party, the former governor urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the survival of the country.
“Let us talk about how we are going to survive till then because we politicians always focus on the next election and not on human beings. That for me when they survive till the next election, we can talk about the election.
“Let us focus on Nigeria and see that Nigeria works. If Nigeria is working Labour Party will work. If Nigeria fails, the Labour Party has also failed”, he said.
