By Taiwo Ajala
Tongues began wagging about what to expect from the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi after he was absent during launch of his presidential campaign council today. His vice-presidential candidate, Datti-Ahmed Yusuf was also absent.
The former Anambra state governor has emerged against all the odds as the much wanted third force with a positive chance of becoming Nigeria’s president, riding on the wave of the youths and first time voters.
Read More: Here’s the deal if Peter Obi becomes president
But as the event was ongoing, Obi tweeted that he was attending the 52nd Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) conference.
“I just arrived at the 52nd ICAN Annual Accountants Conference. -PO,” the former governor of Anambra wrote.
However, Doyin Okupe, director-general of the campaign council, said the processes through which Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar emerged as presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are “dishonourable” and “flawed”.
Okupe: “In all honesty, these errors of selfish and opportunistic political manipulation are not only short-sighted and dangerous, but strike at the very heart of Nigeria’s peaceful coexistence, and in fact the very survival of the nation as an entity.
“And that is why, in response to this affront to good judgement, more than at any time in our history, our country is today witnessing her hottest, fiercest and most dynamic citizen-led political experience, spearheaded largely by the youth population.”
Okupe also praised the newly found ‘structure’ of the Labour party saying the “Obidient” movement is organic.
“At this juncture, for the avoidance of doubt, let me state here clearly that our party, the Labour Party, as well as the Obi-Datti presidential ticket of the party, have not spent a kobo to organise, influence, or secure the massive following and support we have been getting from the Obidient Movement to date,” he added.
