The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party’s (LP) for 2023 general elections, Mr Peter Obi, said on Sunday that he would rather work to ensure peace so that the party can overcome its current challenges than leave it.
Obi stated this in Gombe during a press conference following the inauguration of a borehole he donated to Tike Ram Market in Pantami.
He denied the rumour that he would leave, claiming that he was more committed to the party’s peace.
He expressed confidence that the LP would overcome its challenges and move forward as a unified family.
“There is no such thing as leaving the Labour Party.” I am for peace; I enjoy peace. I believe that we are one people.
“Our focus should be on peace, and I am confident that we will resolve all issues,” he said.
Obi responded to recent speculation that he would run for president in 2027 alongside former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying, “Well, I am more interested in Nigeria’s success today than tomorrow.
“We are constantly focusing on the election rather than what Nigerians are going through.
“My commitment is to Nigerians living in a better society, given a better life, and that is my concern,” he stated.
The former governor of Anambra explained why he donated the borehole, saying he had been going around in the spirit of Ramadan to help Nigerians, particularly the poor, to cushion the impact of the current challenges.
“I am in Gombe, and I came to Pantami Market to assist them with their water supply, which is the borehole I recently inaugurated.
“You can see the business here, the rams, and everything, but there is no water.
“We will support some people remotely and send them some money. That will take approximately 100 minutes.”
Obi was responding to speculation that he had begun looking for another political platform, despite being guaranteed the LP 2027 presidential ticket at the convention.
The NLC spokesman Benson Upah had said on Sunday that the NLC would not stand in the way of Obi’s decision to defect to another political platform.
Upah stated: “Mr Obi has the right to choose. If he wants to leave the party, that is his choice.
We can not pass judgment on him for that.
“But if he chooses to stay, Peter Obi is a valuable asset at any time. “That is where I rest my case,” he said.
