- He disclosed that Obi was a formidable force in the 2023 polls because of the platform the Labour Party provided for him, stressing that it would not be wise for him jump ship.
The senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh has said those trying to get the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, to leave the party in 2027, are on a wild goose chase.
He disclosed that Obi was a formidable force in the 2023 polls because of the platform the Labour Party provided for him, stressing that it would not be wise for him jump ship.
Umeh spoke at an extended stakeholders’ meeting of the Labour Party in Umuahia on Thursday,
His statement came amid speculations that Obi is being pressure to return to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, where he might be given the ticket to contest against the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with the full backing of PDP forces.
However, Senator Umeh said Obi would rather build and further strengthen the LP ahead of 2027 than dump it.
He said, “Wooing Peter Obi out of the 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 the Labour Party may be on a wild goose chase.”
The LP chieftain and former national Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, commended 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.
He said the party cannot have questionable characters who are not recognised by INEC managing its affairs.
“We are happy that issues affecting the party have been addressed. No organization would like to operate with a leadership that is a suspect or not recognized.
“We were concerned about how our last National Working Committee, NWC, was not recognized 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 faculty 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,” he added