Politics

2023: You’ll Be Shocked; Labour Party Replies People Criticising Obasanjo’s Endorsement Of Obi

Published

3 years ago

January 14, 2023

The Labour Party has reacted to claims by the opposition that the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the LP, Peter Obi, by former president Olusegun Obasanjo, was worthless.

The Spokesperson of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, Yinusa Tanko, told The PUNCH, that those who said so would be shocked.

He disclosed these 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. The event was monitored by our correspondent.

Obasanjo said at the ALG event that he would neither be joining the campaign train of Obi nor would he be mobilising other former presidents and statesmen for him.

The former president also stressed that 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.

Taking a cue from a viral video of a preacher who asked his congregation to vote for people whose values they would like to have in their children, Obasanjo asked Nigerians to vote for the presidential candidate whose values they would want their children to emulate in the future.

In response to criticism of Obasanjo’s endorsement, Tanko said that his 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.”

He 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.”

PUNCH

Politics

Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike

Published

6 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.

Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.

The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”

Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike

Published

49 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.

Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.

He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.

According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.

Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.

Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.

Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.

He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.

“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”

Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.

You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?

“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.

“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

56 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.