The Labour Party’s candidate for the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, refuted rumors regarding his departure from the party on Wednesday. He made this statement while speaking to party members during the ongoing National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
“Some have speculated that I have left the Labour Party, and that some of us are preparing to exit. I want to assure you that we remain members of the Labour Party,” Obi affirmed.
“I have never engaged in discussions with any other political party. If there are discussions to be had, they will occur collectively within our Labour Party. No party can claim that I have been in talks with them,” he added. Obi emphasized that he has not communicated any intention to leave the party to anyone or any group, noting that such decisions would only be made after consulting with Labour Party stakeholders.
Obi, who previously served as the governor of Anambra State, expressed his concerns about the prevailing hardships in Nigeria, stating that the nation is in a state of decline.
He urged the opposition to voice their concerns regarding poor governance, lamenting the deteriorating conditions. “We must raise our voices when things are amiss; Nigeria is in crisis, and the statistics are evident. More individuals are falling into poverty. Those who once had enough to eat are now begging, even in this hotel. Whenever I enter this hotel, I encounter people saying, ‘Sir, I came to Abuja, but I can’t return home.’
“In the past, people would ask me, ‘Sir, would you like to eat? Would you like a drink?’ Now, no one is asking me anything. This illustrates the severity of the situation. We must acknowledge that times are tough and that we are facing significant challenges. Let us unite and ensure that we take the necessary steps to address these issues, starting with our party,” Obi concluded.