I remain a member of Labour Party – Peter Obi

I remain a member of Labour Party – Peter Obi

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi has declared he is still a member of the party despite his association with the opposition-aligned African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Obi clarified that his participation in the coalition is aimed at preventing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from securing a second term and at promoting the emergence of a more effective government.

Speaking at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja during the recent unveiling of the Atiku Abubakar-led coalition, Obi also restated his intention to contest the presidency again in 2027.

He promised to spend for only one-term of four years if given the chance.

One-time Senate President David mark was named Interim National Chairman of the adopted ADC. Former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola and a former Sports Development Minister Bolaji Abdullahi were picked as National Secretary and Publicity Secretary in interim capacities.

According to Obi, the coalition decided to adopt the ADC for the purpose of contesting the 2027 election.

He said: “The coalition just adopted ADC for 2027. We are trying to work together for the sake of Nigeria and Nigerians.

“Today, I’m a member of the LP, but we have all agreed to work in a coalition for 2027 election. We want better governance in this country. We want to see more competent government with character.

“We can’t say for now whether we’re going to leave one party or not. What we’ve done is a coalition.”

Dismissing allegations that he was engaging in anti-party activity, the former governor said: “There’s no anti-party in this. We’re not abandoning where we are.”

He also denied claims that  he has been tipped as running mate to Atiku.

“Nobody has ever discussed with me whether I’m going to be anything. What I know is that I’m going to contest for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I believe I am qualified for it,” Obi said.

On whether the coalition is Atiku-led, Obi said he does not believe in assumption.  “This is not in play; nobody has ever discussed that. People assume so many things. Nobody has ever discussed with me whether I am going to be A or B or C.”

He said: “My goal as a leader is to change those who need the change. You need some who have been in bad government because their experience is critical.

“One of the main agenda of the coalition is to change Tinubu-led government by all lawful means. This is so because we have seen the incompetence, the failure, and lack of capacity. We just need to do this for sake of our children.”

On why he wants to run in 2027, he said the signs are all over that things are not improving, adding that if he becomes the president, he will govern with the constitution and do everything with civility.

He said: “If given the chance, I’ll not do more than four years. A lot can be achieved within that time frame. Nobody expects 100 per cent result; they expect 100 per cent sacrifice and service. I don’t need a day more than four years.”

He said he would have headed to Ibadan on Decemeber 19 last year where 18 pupils died in a stampede.

“On December 18, some children died in Ìbadan, Oyo State. On December 19, the President travelled to Lagos for Christmas holiday. I won’t do that. I’ll go to Ibadan’, look for the parents of those children and cry with them.”

According to him, he never worked for the late Head of State, Gen, Sani Abacha, before he became governor in Anambra.

Obi said: “I’ve never worked for any government before I became a governor. I was a very successful business man and everyone knows that.

“What happened was that Abacha came up with a policy of closing all ports. That led to congestion. So, some of us in business decided to see Abacha on that policy.

“We met with the then Minister of Finance and we were able to make our points clear. So, a committee was set up to decongest the ports and I was nominated to serve on that committee. I never met Abacha. I don’t know him.”