Labour Party Renames ‘Obidient’ Directorate After Backlash, Announces Inauguration Date
The Labour Party (LP) leadership has renamed the ‘Obidient’ directorate, following the backlash it received over the naming and composition of the directorate’s leadership structure. Recall that over 200 support groups, which comprise the ‘Obidient Movement’, had denounced the LP leadership for setting up the directorate and naming some persons as directors. In a statement dissociating themselves from the new directorate, the support groups accused the National Working Committee (NWC) of the LP, under the leadership of Comrade Julius Abure, of trying to use the directorate to strip the movement of its independence. In response to the controversy, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, in a terse statement on Thursday in Abuja, announced the party’s decision to rename the directorate. According to Ifoh, the Obidient Directorate will now be known and referred to as the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration. He added that the inauguration will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the National Secretariat in Abuja. He said, “Following the controversies arising from the creation of the Directorate of OBIDIENT Affairs, in the party, the Directorate is hereby renamed the Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration. “The inauguration will take place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the party’s National Secretariat, Utako, Abuja, by 10 a.m. Party members and the general public should take note.”
2027: PDP Speaks On Peter Obi, Atiku Alliance
The Peoples Democratic Party has revealed that it is not engaged in any merger, fusion or amalgamation talks with any other political party or interest. Recall that 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi visited some PDP bigwigs including Atiku Abubakar in Abuja. The visit had sparked rumours of a proposed merger ahead of the 2027 election. But during its 587th meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party said the party is open and welcoming to all Nigerians including our former members who left for other parties. Debo Ologunagba National Publicity Secretary of the party in a statement said: “Our Party remains strong and formidable, capable of winning elections in a free,fair and transparent electoral process in our country. “The NWC acknowledges the influx of millions of Nigerians into our Party in the on-going Party Membership Drive in all the Electoral Wards across the country; which further confirms that the PDP remains the Party of choice for majority of Nigerians. “The public, teeming members of our great Party, Democracy Institutions and of course the International Community should therefore disregard any report suggesting any form of merger between the PDP and any other political Party as such is not in the contemplation of our great Party”.
Labour Party state chairmen speak on suspending Peter Obi
The Labour Party’s 36 State Chairmen, along with the Federal Capital Territory, have denied rumors of a plot to suspend their leader and 2023 Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi. Dismissing allegations against Party Chairman Julius Abure as the work of detractors, the chairmen expressed satisfaction with the day-to-day management of party affairs. They clarified during a solidarity visit that the party has not considered suspending Peter Obi, reaffirming his leadership and commitment to addressing the nation’s challenges. The chairmen also dispelled claims of financial impropriety, emphasizing transparency in party fund management and denouncing unrecognized individuals falsely claiming to be party officials. They reiterated confidence in Abure’s leadership and passed a unanimous vote of confidence in the National Chairman and his executive. Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Chairman of the Council of State Chairmen of the party, Ceekay Igara said; “We want to use this opportunity to debunk the allegation that the Labour Party is planning to suspend our National Leader, Peter Obi. “Our party is under the worst siege ever, including unleashing fierce propaganda against the party. “The party has not at any time contemplated a suspension of our leader. He remains our leader and will continue to lead the party in our avowed determination to pull this nation out from the strangulation under this present government.” “We are also using this opportunity to beg our media friends to cease on going media trial against our party and its leaders. What you are witnessing now is orchestrated and will fizzle out very soon.”, he said.
Deji Adeyanju Reveals Why Peter Obi, Atiku, Tinubu Should Be Jailed
Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju has called for the imprisonment of President Bola Tinubu, PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi. He cited their alleged failure and contribution to the nation’s hardships. Addressing a protest in Abuja, Adeyanju expressed concern over the depreciation of the naira compared to other West African currencies. He criticized the choices made by Nigerians in the last election, accusing politicians of corruption and emphasizing the need for accountability. Adeyanju warned of a Zimbabwean-like trajectory for Nigeria and asserted that all the presidential candidates should be in jail for the betterment of the nation. He said “We have warned Nigerians severally but it seems they have a covenant with oppression and suffering. I can’t imagine a situation where people had several credible alternatives during the last election but Nigerians said they wanted to swim and die with corruption. “Look at the Labour Party, people were jumping all over the place for that they are the saviour, look at the kind of worms we are witnessing, they can’t even account for their campaign funds. “The Abure looter has just been alleged of stealing N3.5 billion from the campaign funds by the party’s treasurer. We are talking about money generated from just sales of forms, not those in their naira account and those generated during the last election. “Peter Obi has refused to come clean, you can’t fight corruption with corruption. We warned Nigerians of the Emi Lokans of this world that he just came to have fun and loot. When he said it was his turn, Nigerians didn’t ask him, turn to do what? To loot? A man who said he would continue where Buhari stopped, what were you expecting? “Nigeria is heading the Zimbabwean way, is it not shocking that the West African CFAs are stronger than the naira? Things are going to get worse “There is none of them that ran that election whether Atiku, Tinubu or Obi that should not be in jail if we are to run a smooth country.”
Peter Obi Visits Family Of Nabeeha Who Was Killed By Kidnappers
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has visited the family of late Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a young Nigerian lady who was kidnapped and later killed by her abductors. Speaking during the visit on Tuesday, Obi said he visited the family to commiserate with them on the loss of their loved one and called on the government to see to it that criminality in Nigeria is contained. He said it is traumatic for any parent to lose a child and again stressed the need for the security agencies and the government to be alive to their responsibilities. Nabeeha was one of the victims kidnapped in a series of abductions that took place in the Sagwari Estate Layout in the Dutsen-Alhaji area of the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. In a tragic incident that shook the community, about 19 abductees were taken by bandits, with the kidnappers demanding a colossal ransom of N700 million for nine victims. Among those kidnapped was Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level Biological Science student at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Four hostages, including Nabeeha, were killed by the kidnappers. Nabeeha was abducted with six other siblings, along with their father, Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, from their home at Zuma 1, on the outskirts of Bwari town in Abuja, on January 2.
Peter Obi Slams Tinubu For Blaming Buhari For Nigeria’s Bankruptcy
*Charges APC On Transparency, Accountability To Nigerians The Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized Nuhu Ribadu’s claims of inheriting a financially bankrupt nation from the past administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. During an address on Monday, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu said the incumbent government, under President Bola Tinubu, inherited a “bankrupt country”. He conveyed that they are encountering significant budgetary limitations, affirming that “I’m comfortable sharing this information with you. It’s important for you to understand. Our current situation is highly critical. “We’ve taken on an immensely challenging nation, one in financial disarray to the extent that we’re repaying debts accumulated in the past. The severity of this matter cannot be overstated. “Nevertheless, our administration is making every effort to fulfill our obligations, notably those concerning the armed forces, amid these challenging circumstances.” However, in response to Ribadu’s statements, Peter Obi faulted the All Progressives Congress (APC) government for its lack of transparency regarding the extent of the financial deficit inherited. Obi emphasized the need for clear disclosure to inform the public about the nation’s current standing and future trajectory. Drawing parallels to the past, Obi recalled how the APC administration previously blamed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015 for inheriting financial challenges and subsequently escalating the country’s debt profile. Expressing concern over the escalating debt from N12.6 trillion in 2015 to N87 trillion in 2023 during the APC’s tenure, Obi highlighted the nation’s deteriorating state across various developmental indices, including education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and security. Obi stressed the urgency of implementing measures to reduce the high cost of governance, redirecting resources towards critical sectors such as security, healthcare, education, and poverty eradication. The statement by Peter Obi on X formerly Twitter further questioned the rationale behind certain expenditures in the recently approved supplementary budget, emphasizing the necessity of allocating resources prudently to address the nation’s pressing needs. Obi called for concrete and measurable steps aimed at improving Nigeria’s current economic situation rather than allocating funds to non-essential areas.
FG Knocks Peter Obi For Faulting 2023 Supplementary Budget
The Federal Government has lambasted Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for allegedly distorting facts for political gains. The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris said this while disagreeing to Obi’s criticism of the 2023 supplementary budget. Idris, while defending the budget, described it as a “bold and pragmatic response” to Nigeria’s economic challenges. The minister urged Obi to familiarize himself with the details, highlighting allocations for security, agriculture, wage increases, student loans, and social safety nets. Idris emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting government functions and addressing urgent needs for national recovery. The supplementary budget, he clarified, resulted from extensive consultations to align with the needs of the people. Peter Obi had described the passing of the 2023 supplementary budget into law by President Bola Tinubu as wasteful, berating the government for being insensitive and uncaring about the suffering of Nigerians while squandering resources on a mysterious presidential yacht and fleets of SUVs. Mr Obi’s criticisms come shortly after Mr Tinubu signed the 2023 supplementary appropriation bill of N2.17 trillion into law on Wednesday. “No item of urgent social welfare has yet featured in the supplementary budget being orchestrated by this government. Instead, the items being made to dominate public discourse on the budget include a mysterious Presidential Yacht, Presidential Jets, the furnishing of already lavishly furnished presidential quarters and offices, fleets of luxury SUVs etc,” Mr Obi said. Speaking further, he said, “this portrays a Government that is totally uncaring and insensitive to the suffering of the majority, and indifferent to the mood of the nation. “The government’s overall attitude does not indicate that it is aware that the country is in a huge crisis, nor is the government in tune with the plight of the generality of our people. Even worse is the fact that most of the funding for these profligate expenditures will be largely borrowed. The least that Nigerians expect from the government at this difficult moment is empathy and realism, not lavish indulgence.” Some line items, specifically presidential yacht and fleets of SUVs, in the supplementary budget sparked reactions from Nigerians. But Mr Tinubu’s government claimed the past regime of former president Muhammadu Buhari started payment for the presidential yacht for the Nigerian navy. Many Nigerians have voiced their concerns and criticism, with a significant number expressing displeasure about how such a luxury item can find its way into the supplementary budget. The Senate Committee on Navy, under the leadership of Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State and the current representative for Ogun East Senatorial District, has called for a probe into the matter.
Supreme Court’s Verdict Sparks Exchange Between Peter Obi, Presidency
*This is not the end, Obi tells his supporters The recent Supreme Court judgment affirming Bola Tinubu‘s election as Nigeria’s president has ignited a fiery dispute between Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, and the Presidency. Obi expressed his apprehensions regarding the verdict, alleging that it undermined the citizens’ trust in the judiciary. Despite the dismissal of Obi and Atiku Abubakar’s appeals by the apex court, he steadfastly stood by his commitment to a vision of a “New Nigeria” characterized by transparency, accountability, and the equitable distribution of resources. Obi made his position clear during a world press conference held at the LP National Headquarters in Abuja, stating, “This Supreme Court ruling may represent the state of the law in 2023 but not the present demand for substantive justice.” “Without equivocation, this judgment amounts to a total breach of the confidence the Nigerian people have in our judiciary. To that extent, it is a show of unreasonable force against the very Nigerian people from whom the power of the Constitution derives,” Obi said during a world press conference at the LP National Headquarters in Abuja on Monday. “This Supreme Court ruling may represent the state of the law in 2023 but not the present demand for substantive justice. “The judgment mixed principles and precepts. Indeed, the rationale and premise of the Supreme Court judgment, have become clearer in the light of the deep revealing and troubling valedictory remarks by Hon. Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad, (JSC) on Friday 27th October 2023.” Obi further told his supporters that the quest for a new Nigeria has not ended. “Where the value and import of the recent Supreme Court ruling ends is where our commitment to a New Nigeria begins. Our mission and mandate remain unchanged. From the very onset, our mission has been more about enthroning a new Nigeria,” the LP presidential candidate added. Meanwhile, in a swift response to Obi’s critique, the Presidency issued a rebuttal, highlighting the apparent inconsistency in his stance. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, reminded Obi that he had previously benefited from judicial decisions when he successfully reclaimed his governorship mandate in 2007. Onanuga emphasized the paramount importance of judicial pronouncements being grounded in evidence, legal precedents, and the rule of law. Onanuga continued by urging Obi and the Labour Party to embrace their role as the opposition and begin preparations for future elections. He expressed the hope that in the upcoming electoral contests, Obi and his party would concentrate on addressing pertinent issues rather than resorting to divisive tactics based on religious and ethnic sentiments. “We are at a loss as to how the copy-cat Obi and his faction of Labour Party convinced themselves they won an election in which they came a distant third,” Onanuga said. “At the press conference where he tried, in vain, to gaslight Nigerians with false claims and innuendos, Mr. Obi contradicted himself. Here was a beneficiary of judicial pronouncements in the past now castigating the same court because its judgment did not go his way.” Onanuga said Obi and his party should know that the Supreme Court or any other court does not give judgment based on public opinion and mob sentiments. “Judicial pronouncements are based on evidence, precedents and the rule of law,” he said. The presidential aide said the ex-governor of Anambra should quit criticisms and congratulate Tinubu. “Having admitted that the Supreme Court ruling brought an end to litigation and any challenge to the bona-fide of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the validly elected leader of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Obi should have congratulated President Tinubu for his victory and pledge his support, in the spirit of statesmanship.”
I Support Tinubu But I’ll Never Insult Peter Obi – Yul Edochie
Renowned Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie, took to Instagram on Friday to express his unwavering respect for 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Despite his vocal support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Yul Edochie declared that he would never insult Peter Obi for any reason. Yul Edochie described Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State, as a “great Nigerian,” emphasizing his deep respect for the politician and his belief that Peter Obi could become president if it’s in God’s plan. The actor firmly asserted that the current time belongs to Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he believes will “fix Nigeria” during his anticipated eight years of administration. In his words, Yul Edochie stated, “I have a lot of respect for Peter Obi. I will never insult him. He’s a great Nigerian. His time will come if God Almighty wills it. This time is for Jagaban. The next 8 years are for President Tinubu. And within that time, He will fix Nigeria for the good of all Nigerians.”
APC Debunks LP’s Accusation That Tinubu Will Witch-Hunt Peter Obi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted allegations by the Labour Party National Chairman, Julius Abure that President Tinubu will harass Labour Party presidential candidate in the February 25 election, Mr. Peter Obi. Abure made the allegations while reacting to the Supreme Court’s judgement that upheld Tinubu’s election. The apex court had dismissed Peter Obi’s appeal against the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) that initially affirmed the former Lagos State Governor as the rightful winner of the presidential election. The court threw out Obi’s petition over failure to prove their allegations of electoral irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. While rejecting the Court’s ruling, Abure said Tinubu is planning to use security agencies to persecute and intimidate Peter Obi. However, the APC’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, called Abure’s claim untrue. He stated that President Tinubu is not the type to target his rivals, while describing the allegation as satanic and mischievous. Meseko pointed out that Tinubu has a history of including critics in his government, promoting unity, and even invited the Labour Party to join. “Even this so-called Labour Party was invited on board. But most of their people were busy criticising him, saying he wanted to put their people in government so the party wouldn’t pursue their case in court again and all that. I am saying this confidently that there is no iota of truth in what the LP chairman is saying.”