Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Those attempting to lure the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party out of the party ahead of the 2027 polls have been asked to perish the idea as it amounts to “wild goose chase.”
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Senator representing Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh stated this in Umuahia, Abia State.
Senator Umeh who is now at the Senate on the platform of the Labour Party, spoke to newsmen during the Labour Party extended Stakeholders’ meeting that held in Umuahia.
He argued that it would be against courtesy for Obi to just abandon LP after coming to limelight through the party platform in 2023.
Senator Umeh was responding to the speculation that Obi is under pressure to dump LP ahead of 2027 and form alliance with Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and Alhaji Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.
He said: “Wooing Peter Obi out of Labour Party will not be the right thing because LP gave him the limelight with which Nigerian people embraced him in the last election.
“So, whatever is happening is for him to build on the party and continue to make efforts to advance his interest. Those who are calling on him to abandon Labour Party may be on a wild goose chase.”
Senator Umeh lauded Obi and Governor Alex Otti of Abia State for their bold steps towards repositioning Labour Party, by convening the Umuahia stakeholders meeting which made far-reaching decisions in the interest of the party.
“We are happy that issues affecting the party have been addressed. No organisation would like to operate with a leadership that is suspect or not recognised.
“We were concerned about how our last National Working Committee, NWC, was not recognised by INEC, and that was why we came to correct things. It was obvious that its tenure had elapsed, so, it will be foolhardy for us to continue with them because you cannot build on a faulty foundation.
“So, we thank Peter Obi and Governor Alex Otti for what they have done. Their courage to convene the stakeholders’ meeting has saved our great party.”
Meanwhile, former Finance Minister, Senator Nenadi Usman from Kaduna State, was appointed to chair a 29-member Caretaker Committee set up to run the affairs of the party in the interim, and organise congresses and convention within 90 days.
LP National Assembly members and State Houses of Assembly members, 2023 governorship candidates and other major stakeholders from across the country were in attendance.
Obi’s running mate in 2023, Dr Datti Ahmed, among others including representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC; and its Trade Union Congress, TUC; also attended the stakeholders’ meeting.
