Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, expressed confidence on Wednesday that the party would overcome its internal challenges and emerge stronger. He noted that the internal issues within the Labour Party pale in comparison to the crises facing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Obi addressed journalists in Abuja, acknowledging the ongoing attempt by the Nigerian Labour Congress to unseat the National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure, and the power struggle with factional leader Lamidi Apanpa. Despite these challenges, Obi emphasized the party’s resilience in resolving its internal matters.
He highlighted the need for a focus on the welfare of ordinary Nigerians rather than political party dynamics, stressing that addressing the issues affecting the populace should take precedence over partisan concerns.
Regarding speculations about his presidential ambitions and criticism he faced for questioning the government’s priorities, particularly regarding the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, Obi clarified that his primary concern is the well-being of Nigerians, not personal political aspirations.
Addressing critics who accused him of undermining the government’s efforts, Obi reiterated his commitment to advocating for the interests of the poor and marginalized, emphasizing the importance of ongoing dialogue about critical national issues beyond election cycles.
“That’s what I’m determined to witness. And each of us can contribute to it as well. It’s hard to find fulfillment when millions of Nigerians don’t know where their next meal will come from. Seeing children suffer only deepens the pain. This goes beyond political campaigns,” Obi expressed passionately.
He also revealed his approach if he were to assume the presidency, emphasizing a shift towards prioritizing the repair of existing roads over initiating new projects. Obi highlighted the dire condition of major highways like Lagos-Badagry and Kano-Kaduna, stressing the need for urgent attention to these critical infrastructure projects.
“If I were President today, no new road projects would be considered until we complete the existing ones. We need to address the longstanding issues plaguing roads like the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Kano-Kaduna route. These roads have been in disrepair for years,” he pointed out.
Obi underscored the importance of directing resources towards fixing existing road networks rather than introducing new projects. Drawing from his experience as the former governor of Anambra State, he emphasized the significance of completing ongoing projects before embarking on new ones.
“When I was governor, I prioritized completing projects initiated by my predecessor before starting new ones. Repairing our existing roads is crucial, and that’s where our focus should be,” Obi affirmed.
In a related update, Obi revealed that a forensic audit is currently underway on the party’s accounts as per his request. This demand for an independent audit firm stemmed from a challenge raised by the former National Treasurer, Oluchi Oparah, on March 14. Oparah urged the National Chairman, Julius Abure, to provide accountability for an alleged N3.5 billion raised from the sale of nomination forms and fundraising activities leading up to the 2023 general election.
When queried about the progress of the audit, Obi stated, “Yes, we are conducting the audit. However, we won’t be providing daily updates on the auditors’ findings. We will only disclose the results once the audit is completed. If you seek interim reports, we can direct you to the auditors.”
Obi also pledged to address concerns regarding two malfunctioning water boreholes out of the ten he donated to Northern communities. This assurance comes in response to criticism following circulated photos of the faulty boreholes two weeks prior. Notable figures, including former presidential aide Bashir Ahmed, actress Tonto Dikeh, and former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign Daniel Bwala, criticized the LP candidate for the poor quality of the projects.
However, Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, defended Obi’s initiative, highlighting its aim to alleviate water challenges in affected communities.
Acknowledging the issues with two boreholes, Obi committed to repairing them promptly. He stated, “Out of the ten boreholes we installed nationwide, one or two are facing challenges. I intend to ensure all of them are operational and additionally pledge to install ten more.”
Furthermore, Obi appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to join him in addressing education and water challenges across the country, noting that even a small fraction of the population could make a significant impact.
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