Yunusa Tanko, spokesperson for the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign council, clarified that Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has no intention of leaving the party.
Tanko, speaking to TheCable on Friday, emphasized that Obi remains a committed member of the LP and has not discussed forming a new political party with anyone.
Amidst controversies surrounding the LP before, during, and after the general elections, some of Obi’s supporters, known as ‘Obidients’, have urged him to depart and establish a new party, pledging their support wherever he goes.
Recently, Julius Abure, the LP’s national chair, was arrested by the police in Edo state for alleged crimes including attempted murder and illegal possession of firearms.
In response to Abure’s arrest, Obi cautioned against using any excuse to suppress opposition in the country. He demanded that Abure be granted bail considering his status, while investigations into the alleged offenses continue.
Asked if Obi is leaving the party, Tanko said Obi remains a strong member of the LP and has been defending the party as best he could.
Not at all. At the moment, he is not contemplating leaving the Labour Party,” he said.
“His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, is trying to build a platform that accommodates everybody. There is no doubt he has added credibility and purposefulness to the Labour Party.
“Right now, he has not said anything about leaving the party anytime soon. Even if there is such a motive, we would have been intimated.
“He has been defending the LP as strongly as he can. As far as we are concerned, if there are issues within the party, all we need to do is a clean-up and make corrections as soon as possible.”
On the subject of a merger, Tanko said Obi is ready to join forces with anyone who believes in rescuing the country from its current morass.
“The idea of Peter Obi is that we should all join forces with everybody who believes in rescuing Nigeria,” Tanko added.
“If you believe in the mantra of a new Nigeria, you are welcome to join whichever movement His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, is doing.”
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