8th April, 2024
By Peter Uwumarogie
Former governor Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party has dismissed speculations that he may be planning to dump the party for another platform ahead of the 2027 election.
There have been speculations that Obi might have started shopping for another political platform, in spite of being guaranteed the LP 2027 presidential ticket at its convention.
The speculations followed recent crises over the leadership of the Julius Abure led party.
But Obi dismissed the rumour as well as another claim that he may be planning to pair with former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai to contest the presidency in 2027 in a chat with journalists in Gombe on Sunday.
While dismissing the rumour of his planned defection, Obi told journalists that he would rather work to ensure peace for the party to overcome its present challenges than leave it.
The former Anambra Governor spoke to journalists after inaugurating a borehole he donated to Tike Ram Market in Pantami, Gombe State.
He said the rumour that he would leave was not true as he was more committed to the peace of the party.
He expressed optimism that the LP would resolve its challenges and forge ahead as one family.
“No, there is no such thing as leaving the Labour Party. I am for peace; I like peace. I believe we are one people.
“Our concentration should be on peace and I believe that we will resolve all situations,” he said.
On rumours that he may be planning to run for the 2027 presidency with El-Rufai, Obi said: “Well, I’m more interested now in Nigeria’s success today than tomorrow.
“We are always concentrating on the election rather than what Nigerians are going through.
“My commitment is about Nigerians living in a better society, given a better life and that’s my concern,” he said.
On why he donated the borehole, the former governor of Anambra said he had been going round in the spirit of the Ramadan to support Nigerians, especially the poor to help cushion the impact of the current challenges.
“I’m here in Gombe and I came to Pantami market to help them in area of water supply that is the borehole I just inaugurated.
“You can see the business here, all the rams and everything here but they don’t have water.
“We will support some individuals which we will do remotely and send them some little money. About 100, that will be done.”
The spokesperson of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Benson Upah on Sunday , said the union would not stand in the way of Obi, should he decide to defect to another political platform.
Upah said: “The right of choice is available to Mr Obi. If he chooses to leave the party, that is his preference. We can’t sit in judgment over him on that.
“But if he chooses to remain, of course, Peter Obi is an asset any day. I rest my case on that,” he said.
(NAN)