The Labour Party, LP, has people criticising former president, Olusegun Obasanjo for endorsing the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would be shocked.
The Spokesperson of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Yinusa Tanko, disclosed this on the backdrop of the recent backlash on Obasanjo’s statements at the Nigeria Leadership series, a digital event organised by the Africa Leadership Group on Thursday.
Obasanjo said he endorsed Obi because he felt that he had an edge over other presidential candidates in the areas of character, track record, vision, and physical and mental ability.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Tanko said that Obasanjo’s endorsement shows that he is a patriot who was willing to bring the country “out of the woods,” and transform it by making sure that power does not reside with corrupt and reportedly unhealthy persons.
When asked whether Obasanjo has not taken further steps to promote his choice, Tanko said, “He has been more obedient than any other person, so anybody cannot undermine the contribution of Obasanjo. The simple fact that he is determined to take Nigeria out of the woods, he reached out. You will be surprised by the level of reaching out that Obasanjo has done. He has reached out to a lot of Nigerians and they are working very hard to ensure that Peter Obi gets all the support he needs.”
Tanko also noted the same people who are trying to diminish the weight of Obasanjo’s endorsement were also “jostling, and struggling,” before his endorsement letter to make sure he endorsed them.
While reacting to the statement that Obasanjo could not win his ward for Obi at the general elections, Tanko said, “They will be so shocked with regards to winning his ward, this is somebody that connects both local and international communities. He is known for his vision, determination, doggedness, and love for Nigeria. He has spoken and the country is already shaking. If he is not that important why would his words make so much tremour nationwide, especially when he is talking to the Nigerian Youth–they appreciate and respect his words. They are ready to go.”