Don’t expose Obi to danger, support all our candidates, Labour tells all support groups

From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia

The Labour Party (LP) has charged all support groups working for the victory of its Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, in the 2023 presidential poll, to extend similar support to all candidates of the party nationwide to avoid exposing Obi to danger if he eventually wins the presidential poll.

The National Vice Chairman (South East) of Labour Party (LP), Comrade Innocent Okeke, gave the charge on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Alex Otti campaign office in Umuahia during a Town Hall meeting and harmonisation of various support groups working for the realization of Peter Obi’s presidential ambition.

Okeke noted that such support would ensure the victory of both Obi and all other flag bearers of the party at national and state levels in next year’s elections.

He pointed out that if Obi finally wins the presidency in 2023, the victories of other LP candidates would provide with the needed support for a seamless administration of the country and save him from the ugly experience he had when he was impeached as Governor of Anambra State due to the fact that he emerged from a party that had few or no members in the State House of Assembly.

The LP Zonal leader noted that the advice became necessary because of the discovery that some members of some support groups were supporting Obi only and, at the same time, working for the emergence of some other candidates in other political parties.

“Many people are ready to work for Peter Obi, but if you elect him to go to Aso Rock and he goes there alone, you may be exposing him to danger. He suffered that before in Anambra when he was impeached as Governor.

“You have done well by supporting Peter Obi but it would be dangerous to have a party divided by loyalty. We charge you to deliver Peter Obi and all those running for various positions in Labour Party,” Okeke said.

He equally urged the members of the support groups to register in their various wards as members of Labour Party, to enable them deliver Peter Obi and other candidates of the party.

The National Vice Chairman charged the harmonised groups to be active in their units and wards, noting that the use of BVAS electronic voting system should not be a reason for complacency, as enemies of democracy may try to thwart with the will of the people.

Earlier in his address, the Abia State Chairman of Labour Party, Comrade Ceekay Igara assured that the party would deepen its presence in every nook and cranny of the state, adding that the State Working Committee of the party would soon embark on state-wide tour to preach the gospel of Labour Party with the aim of increasing LP’s membership in Abia.

Igara assured that during the 2023 polls, all candidates of LP in Abia would enjoy the same level of support being presently accorded the Presidential flag bearer of the party, Mr Obi.

In his remarks, the National Coordinator of Harmonised Coalition for Peter Obi, Rev. Fr. Nchekube Maduabuchi, urged the leaders and members of various Obi support groups to eschew leadership struggle but work for the interest of Labour Party.

“We have the structure down to the ward levels. There are basic members and associate members .We are working in tandem with Labour Party. We have 41 support groups in Nigeria,” said Rev. Fr. Maduabuchi.

Responding, the Coordinator for Peter Obi Coalition Support Group, Abia State chapter, Mrs. Matilda Anyamele, promised to harmonise all groups in Abia State to deliver Obi and other  Labour Party candidates.

However, some leaders of pro-Peter Obi groups harped on the need to recognise their sacrifices while some others complained that Labour Party was not carrying them along in their 2023 election strategies.

But the National Vice Chairman promised that all agitations of the groups would be reconciled for the success of Labour Party, which, he noted, was fast becoming very popular among the larger population of Nigerians.