The factional National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party, led by Lamidi Apapa, has extended felicitations to Peter Obi, the party’s flag bearer, on the occasion of his 62nd birthday. However, in a surprising turn of events, the NWC expressed regret for fielding Obi as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 election.
According to the faction, Peter Obi, instead of representing the varied interests within the party, chose to align with a specific faction. In a statement issued by Comrade Abayomi Arabambi, the Suspended National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, the NWC urged Obi to reflect on becoming a statesman who represents the collective interests of Nigerians rather than being seen as a regional bigot.
The statement highlighted that while celebrating Obi’s birthday, the party expects him to contemplate the significance of his role as a statesman and the responsibilities it entails. The faction emphasized that his popularity was derived from the love people have for the Labour Party and the representation he provided to the citizens.
However, the faction expressed concerns about recent developments, citing actions that undermined the discipline for which the Labour Party is known. They pointed out instances where Obi went to the Presidential Electoral Tribunal as a non-member of the party and relied on a “non-party agent” to defend his alleged stolen mandate, which they found regrettable and laughable.
“The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Labour Party (LP) felicitates with its popular presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Gregory Obi, on his 62nd anniversary.
“In wishing him well, we want him to state that we regret fielding him on the platform of the party, in the light of recent development particularly actions that undermined the discipline the Labour party has been known for.
“The Lamidi Apapa-led National Working Committee of the Party hereby charges the celebrant to, on this occasion of thanksgiving to God, to be reflective of the Nigerian interest, which he seeks to serve.
“It is indeed worrisome that even though he went to the Presidential Electoral Tribunal as a non-member of the Labour Party and lied severally that there was a time they issued subpoena to INEC for all those document and maintained that they, they were unable to pay all the documents they seek to tender, kicks regret in our party stakeholders.”
In conclusion, the faction wished Peter Obi well on his 62nd birthday but stated their regret for fielding him as their presidential candidate and asserted that such a decision would not be repeated in the future. They hoped that this occasion would serve as an opportunity for Obi to reflect on becoming a better Nigerian, transcending ethnic divisions, and embracing a more inclusive approach to governance.
