Attendees at the meeting between Peter Obi, Labour Party chieftains and Southern and Middle Belt leaders
2023: ‘We asked Peter Obi to commit to restructuring – Pa Adesanya opens up on meeting
Details of last Tuesday’s meeting between the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 General Elections, Dr Peter Obi, with leaders of southern and Middle Belt socio-political advocacy groups, under the aegis of the South and Middle Belt Leadership Forum (SMBLF) have now emerged.
Dr Obi had initially announced his verified Twitter handle (@PeterObi) on being at the meeting with some leaders and members of the South and Middle Belt Leadership Forum, as well as National leaders of Labour Party and other stakeholders at the residence of the Afenifere leader, Pa Adesanya but did not disclose the purpose or outcome of the gathering.
“Presently visiting PA Ayo Adebanjo and members of the South and Middle Belt Leadership Forum. The National leaders of Labour Party and other stakeholders are here too. –PO” read the post on Obi’s handle.
However, Chief Adebanjo has revealed that the meeting which held in his home demanded Obi to prioritise restructuring in exchange for their support.
The leader of the pan-Yoruba sociopolitical group, Afenifere, revealed that the meeting had in attendance top leaders of SMBLF including Edwin Clark of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Dru Bitrus of the Middle Belt Forum, and George Obiozor of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“He (Obi) came to meet Southern and Middlebelt leaders in my house. It was an exchange of views; we believe in the same cause,” he said, adding that they won’t back any candidate that does not support restructuring.
“We are all partners in progress. The fight he is fighting is a fight for the oppressed.
“Restructuring was at the front burner; we should have a country first before we have any development plan. That is the pillar on which the Southern and Middlebelt leaders stand.
“Constitutional review, community policing, devolution of power and others are all embedded in restructuring. Where we have a constitution where everybody is dissatisfied, you won’t have peace and without peace, there will be no stability. These are fundamental,” Pa Adesanya said.
