Politics
Labour Party sweats as internal struggle tears structure apart
By John Akubo, Abuja
Without structure, is it possible for a presidential candidate and his party to win elections in Nigeria? That poser seems to be the subtext of the ongoing leadership disputation within the Labour Party (LP).
A fragment of the membership had gone to court to obtain an order restraining Mr. Julius Abure from parading himself as the party’s national chairman. But, the owners of the political platform, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has come out to declare that despite the shenanigans of some disgruntled former members, Abure remains in office as national chairman.
Watchers of Nigeria polity noted that the strong showing of the party as a vibrant third force must have become its albatross. Although its was dismissed as an unserious political party powered by overzealous young people, most of whom do not have voter card, LP gave the established political parties, especially the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a run for their money.
From its competitive showing and popularity among the young and new voters, it was, therefore not expected that some interest groups would start laying claims to exact some relevance and reap from the party’s anticipated bright future.
It would be recalled that LP’s profile rose shortly after former Anambra State governor, Mr. Peter Obi, became it’s presidential candidate. Obi had dumped his former party, PDP, on which platform he had contested the 2019 presidential election as running mate to former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
With Obi’s entry and barely eight months to this year’s general elections, LP’s fortune changed, even as its soft-spoken standard bearer rallied the country towards a counter-political narrative that emphasised character, competence, capacity and compassion in leadership selection.
Obi’s promise of switching Nigeria from a consumption nation to a productive economy captured national attention. The message resonated with the people to the extent that some drew a contrast between him and the African-American former US President, Barrack Obama, whose ‘Yes we can” change slogan handed the Democratic Party the presidency from the incumbent Republican Party.
Obi also energised the youths with his demand on them to take back their country from established corrupt politicians that had held the country hostage for decades. He cited his personal examples from days as Anambra State chief executive, stressing that bad and corrupt leadership was responsible for mass poverty, insecurity, a growing population of out-of-school children and a comatose economy.
Although the general impression among analysts is that Obi’s entry into LP changed the stature of the party as well as the political narratives of the country, the party was already a player in Nigeria’s politics.
However, apart from 2009 upset it caused in Ondo State, when the party threw up Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as governor, 2023 elections had been phenomenal for the workers’ party. Enhanced with the demographic appeal to youths under the aegis of ‘Obidient movement’, the party placed third at the presidential poll, replicating its effort with a governor-elect in Abia State, seven Senators-elect and 34 members-elect for the House of Representatives in the recent general elections.
Recall that opinion surveys conducted by many polling platforms before the election had predicted the possibility of the party’s presidential contender, Obi, coming out tops as winner.
However, while the polls were dismissed as mere projections by the other parties, LP proved book makers right by its unexpected electoral triumph in Lagos State, the favourite base of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). The party also won in Nasarawa, the home state of APC national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; won in the FCT, as well as, Plateau and a couple of other states.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced APC’s standard bearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, as winner after collation of results, Obi and LP, who were placed third behind Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, picked holes with the electoral processes leading to the return of a winner.
Already, both Obi and Atiku and their parties-LP and PDP- have petitioned the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) to register their disapproval of the entire process and outcome, even as they individually laid claims to victory.
Internal upheaval
Ever since the LP posted its competitive showing in the 2023 general elections, the party has been struggling to maintain its cohesion, especially following internal wrangling that border on leadership tussle, allegations and counter-allegations of corruption among some of its top officials.
Not those alone, the party’s presidential contender, have also been inundated with various issues. First was the purported treasonable comments by his running mate, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, as well as the petition against Obi, threats of arrest and a leaked audio conversation believed to be between Obi and the founding Pastor of Living Faith Church, David Oyedepo.
While the party was contending with the storms, the wind of disunity began to blow around the LP leadership. The decision of an Abuja High Court to issue an order restraining the National Chairman, Julius Abure, National Secretary, Farouk Ibrahim, National Organising Secretary, Clement Ojukwu and one other, from parading themselves as national officers of the party came like a thunder from the blues.
Ruling on an ex parte application argued by Chief James Onoja SAN, Justice Hamza Muazu, said the affected officers should cease to function in their respective offices pending the hearing and determination of the substantive motion.
However, in a swift move, a counter court order from an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin, last Wednesday restrained Labour Party and all its members from any suspension or purported suspension of its national officers till the determination of motion on notice.
Labour Party’s counsel, G. C. Igbokwe (SAN), confirmed to newsmen that he had gotten a High Court order to the effect that status quo be maintained, stipulating that no action, which may result to the suspension of any national officer of the party should be taken.
He stated: “Our attention has been drawn to a latter order purportedly from another court of equal jurisdiction restraining my clients. Of course, such order is of no consequence and will have no effect until after the determination of the motion on notice.”
A group that claimed to be Ward Three LP executives in Edo State, led by the Ward Chairman, Martins Osigbemhe, had earlier announced the suspension of the LP national chairman. As such, in a bid to counter that move, the entire leadership of Labour Party in Edo State, including the state, Local Government and Ward executives were on hand to pass a vote of confidence on Abure
The group in a solidarity visit to Abure at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja, said the Osigbemhe faction is unknown to the party and that they were working for some unnamed opposition political parties. Mr. Kelly Ogbaloi, Edo State Chairman of the party, told newsmen in Abuja that the constitution of Labour Party does not empower any group or party members to suspend a national officer.
Ogbaloi recalled that ever since Abure was elected at the party’s national convention, those he called impostors, “who are not registered party members cannot suspend him. So, their action is out of ignorance. Those who did it don’t even understand the message they were asked to deliver.”
As if the irritations were not enough, some members of the National Working Committee (NWC) who were on suspension, led by one Apapa, the Publicity Secretary, Aboyomi Arambabi, and former Youth Leader, allegedly broke into the LP national secretariat in a bid to forcefully take ownership and in an apparent scheme to enforce the court order.
Exit of peace
With the wrangling from Edo and Abuja, peace has left the Labour Party. Watchers of the polity relate the various crises to LP Presidential candidate’s insistence on pursuing his case to reclaim what he termed, his stolen mandate.
Obi and LP claim that they not only won the election out rightly, but also that they have overwhelming evidence to upturn the victory of APC and Tinubu, who were declared winners by INEC.
It is against this background that the governing APC is being fingered as mastermind of the rumblings in the workers’ party.
Those who hold onto that conspiracy theory allege that the antagonists of Abure’s leadership are the same party faithful in the Southwest that worked against LP in the election by collapsing their structure for APC in the zone.
Recall that Southwest LP had collapsed its entire structure into the APC days to the general elections.
National chairman of South West Agenda For Asiwaju Tinubu (SWAGA) 2023, Dayo Adeyeye and other members of the group facilitated the switch.
Consequently, it was believed that the same group represented by Lamidi Apapa and Arambabi procured the court injunction that barred the national chairman and other national officers of LP from parading themselves as such.
The group schemes that in the event that the Abure leadership is successfully eased out, the new leadership would later withdraw the petition at the PEPT and declare support for the President-elect, Tinubu to help boost his legitimacy. The attempted take over of the LP secretariat last Thursday by the faction was aimed at achieving that target.
However, the party’s state chairmen, who are also members of the National Executive Council (NEC), stormed the party’s secretariat on rescue mission on Good Friday. Determined to leave nothing to chance, the 28 state chairmen took over the LP national secretariat in Utako, Abuja. They were emphatic that Abure remains their national chairman.
The previous day, Abure had, in a statement, claimed that the National Headquarters of Labour Party was under attack, as a detachment of Nigeria Police Force and thugs believed to be working for the governing party invaded the building. He disclosed that the perimeter fences, burglaries, doors and windows to the secretariat were vandalised, adding that workers and stalwarts were chased away.
Ironically, seven members of the NWC had announced the National Vice-Chairman (South), Lamidi Bashir Apapa, as Abure’s replacement in acting capacity. In his remarks after an emergency meeting in Abuja, Apapa said the NWC members acted on the ruling of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, which restrained Abure from parading himself as national chairman.
While he addressed the press, armed security personnel were conspicuous at strategic locations, possibly, to avert a breakdown of law and order.
Apapa explained that the NWC also reviewed suspension of party members and executives. The other three restrained officials, were also replaced by Saleh Lawal as acting national secretary, Rowland Daramola (acting treasurer) and Prince Reuben Favour (acting organising secretary).
But, on their part, the 28 LP state chairmen led by their spokesperson, High Chief Kehinde Rotimi, after forcefully reclaiming the secretariat, told journalists that few hours earlier, “We were amazed at the report that hoodlums and thugs invaded our party secretariat at Utako, that is why we came.”
He stated: “They destroyed properties, carted away our documents, committed all sorts of atrocities that are not in tandem with the rule of law
“We were told that they went to court and took a particular order but they did not wait for the court to determine whatever motion of notice, they took laws into their hands to come and destroy our Secretariat
“That is why we, as very important organ of NEC, the council of chairmen in the party, which constitutes NEC along with the members of our party, have decided to come here to do an on-the-spot assessment and on getting here, we discovered that these sets of hoodlums, some of them have been suspended and are no more members of our party.
“Some of them sold our party to other political parties. The party is still investigating to see that they have violated our rights as a political party and they have gone all around to intimidate us with security agencies.
“We are saying it that we can not be intimidated, we can not be cowed. Labour Party has come to stay in Nigeria, we want to advice all political parties to allow us, leave us alone.
“We want to tell all the security agencies not to turn to political party members because the police are not party members so they should do what is right according to the rule of law.
“You can not be a judge in your own case. They want to be judges in their own case by taking the law into their own hands. That is why we are here, our entire members from all over the country; to counter this obnoxious and evil move to derail us from pursuing the mandate that Nigerians have given to us.
“Nigerians gave us their mandate on the 25th of February 2023 and on that mandate we stand. That is why we believe in the rule of law and that is why we have gone to the tribunal.
“Instead of creating diversion and division in our party we will not agree. That is why we are telling the whole world we have began the legal process on this evil and barbaric act.”
Enugu State chairman, Cashmir Uchenna Agbo, described what was happening as “very unfortunate, because Labour Party is a party of rule of law.
“Our principal has maintained that we must be guided by the Constitutional provisions and the laws of this land and the party. It is very unfortunate that those who have ran this party for many years are engaging in acts of brigandage and criminality in terms of enforcing their own right.”
Agbo accused the Apapa group of mixing criminality with civil process, contending that the court that gave them that order erred in law, saying, “There are a plethora of such cases that once you have element of criminality in any motion, you just put the other party in notice, so that he could be heard.
“You cannot shave a man’s head in his absence. You have done this to this party; we are referring to a party in particular in this country that is known for criminality and brigandage. And that is APC.”
Speaking on efforts made to maintain order, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Utako, Gregory Victor,, said the police took over the secretariat to prevent breakdown of law and order. He blamed the party chairmen for coming to take over in a commando style, adding that if his men were not on ground and there was lawlessness how would they have been able to take back their secretariat.
The party’s youth Leader, Prince Kennedy C. Ahanotu, disclosed that the rumbling in the party was not unexpected, especially because the party and its Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have gone to court with overwhelming evidence and that the ruling party is jittery looking for any foothold to discredit the process.
Ahanotu spoke at the party secretariat when the 36 State chairmen of the party delivered a communique reaffirming their support for Julius Abure as their national chairman. “For Abayomi Arabambi, money is the game and he was determined to sell his soul to achieve that dangerous appetite to enrich himself by whatever means.
“The only means is to initiate and sustain the crisis in the party by turning himself into a hireling and making himself available at a price to be purchased by desperate politicians,” he added.
He stressed that the LP’s youth wing is in solidarity with the 36 State chairmen for coming to the rescue of the party at a very trying time, assuring that “on behalf of the labour party youths we will overcome this. We would not allow our collective sensibilities and our collective future to be destroyed by people who we have evidences on how they perpetrated evil and worked against the party even in the last election.”
The National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arambabi, did not respond to text messages seeking to get their own side by the time of filing this report, even though he kept on promising to respond. But, a member of his faction who did not want his name in print said Abure remained suspended, stressing that there are a number of criminal allegations against the former national chairman including forgeries.
Culled from the Guardian
The Labour Party has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is punishing the party for defending its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, in the 2023 elections.
In a statement by the publicity secretary of the group, Obiora Ifoh, the party’s leadership claimed that INEC is supporting Obi and Otti’s attempt to seize control of the party through undemocratic means.
The crisis began when Obi and Otti convened a stakeholders meeting in Umuahia, where they appointed a 29-member caretaker committee to replace the current leadership. The party disputes the legitimacy of this move.
INEC filed a counter affidavit stating that the current executives’ tenure has expired, citing Electoral Act guidelines. However, the Labour Party maintains that their national convention in Nnewi on March 26, 2024, was valid and conducted in line with the Electoral Act and party constitution.
A statement by the Publicity secretary of the embattled Abure leaderahip said,
“We are shocked by INEC’s sudden interest in our internal affairs,” said a Labour Party spokesperson. “This is a clear case of interference and an attempt to destabilize our party.”
Recall that the contetious issue has to do with tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC), which expired on June 8, 2024. Since then, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has deemed the leadership under the embattled Julius Abure to be illegal.
Stakeholders were shocked when Abure was asked to leave an INEC meeting, and the party was not invited to a subsequent meeting in preparation for the septembet and November elections in Edo and Ondo states respectively
This is the fallout from a controversial party convention in Nnewi, Anambra State, earlier where Abure allegedly manipulated the process to ensure his return. INEC refused to recognize the outcome of that convention.
Even the party’s only governor, Alex Otti, and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, declined to attend the convention, having advised Abure to consult more widely beforehand. In an attempt to legitimize the convention, Abure and his group, after the disputed event in March 2023, endorsed Obi and Otti as the sole candidates for their respective offices in the next elections, despite their absence from the event.
Miffed by the impending crisis, Obi, in collaboration with Governor Otti, convened a stakeholders’ meeting to make necessary leadership changes. The Labour Party stakeholders gathered in Umuahia on September 4th and resolved to appoint Senator Esther Nenadi Usman as the Chairman of a Caretaker Committee.
The immediate past Senate Minority Deputy Leader, Senator Darlington Nwokocha from Abia Central, was appointed as the Secretary of the committee. The new leadership was tasked with rescuing the party from its current leadership crisis.
However, the Abure faction has since discredited the stakeholders meeting as it is not a k own nomenclature in the Party’s constitution
The statement reads,
“We the leadership of the Labour Party wish to bring to your notice the recent development in the party, particularly, the efforts by some of the leaders of the party including the former presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi and the Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti amongst others to annex power of the leadership of the party through subterranean means using the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC as their launching pad.
“In the last few days, the media has been awashed with INEC’s counter affidavit to the effect that the tenure of the current executives has expired which was supposed to be a justification for the inglorious, purported Umuahia stakeholders meeting where a caretaker committee was produced.
“You will recall that His Excellencies, Peter Obi and Alex Otti a few weeks ago convened an illegal stakeholders meeting in Umuahia where they handpicked some of their cronies, a 29-member caretaker committee in the most undemocratic fashion as leaders of their faction of the party. “They subsequently wrote a letter to the INEC on September 6, 2024, informing the commission of the purported and non existent leadership crisis in the party.
“They hinged their decision on the fact that INEC informed them that the present National Working Committee of the party no longer have a valid tenure after June, 2024 and because INEC also did not monitor the Nnewi Convention of the party held on the 26th March, 2024, the commission has ceased from transacting business with the party.
“As you are aware, the party has since sued INEC challenging its exclusion from the commission’s refresher training for uploading party agents ahead of the Edo and Ondo governorship elections.
“However, INEC had in a counter-affidavit, filed in response to our suit argued that the Labour Party’s leadership, including Julius Abure, is now invalid, stressing that it does not recognise the party’s March 2024 National Convention, which re-elected Abure as chairman.
“The leadership of the Labour Party is however miffed by the actions of our leaders including our former presidential candidate Peter Obi and the only Labour Party governor, Dr. Alex Otti who should be defending the party at this auspicious and trying moment.
“They ought to know that Labour Party is going through this challenging times simply because of its role in defending both leaders during the 2023 general election.
“For the benefit of hindsight, not a few Nigerians will forget how Labour Party reduced its guards in accommodating some of these leaders when they were denied tickets in their former political parties.
“Many of these men who are holding several political offices but suddenly turned warriors today, seeking the head of Julius Abure to be served on a platter, where rolling on the floors, begging for ticket. Some couldn’t even afford to pay for the nomination forms.
“Labour Party leadership went to the trenches with our Presidential Candidate, cascading through the nooks and crannies of Nigeria canvassing for votes.
“We went through the entire judicial hurdles, dared the principalities and powers. We were haunted, maligned and in some cases chased around by agents of the state because of our unflinching commitment and uncompromised standing with our Presidential candidate.
“The same LP leadership stood by our then governorship candidate in Abia through thick and thin, snubbing all sorts of pressures, weathering the political and judicial storms to ensure that victory was achieved. Today, these leaders are now dancing ‘Gwo gwo gwo ngwo’ with us. What a shame, what a betrayal.
“Every Nigerian alive today knows the ignoble role INEC played in the 2023 general election and how the electoral will of the people were dashed. It amazes us that those who suffered from this INEC’s ineptitude in 2023, are now joining forces with the Commission against the Party leadership.
“For these leaders, there is no qualms to leverage on the INEC’s standpoint of illegality to attempt to seize the leadership of the party.
“We sincerely want to advise these our leaders that INEC is and can never be the model on which to launch their annexation agenda. The 2023 saga is still fresh. In one breath, we demonised INEC, in another second, you are fraternizing with them.
“Is it not paradoxical that some of these leaders who were victims of INEC’s dereliction and mismanagement of the 2023 general election are now the ones quoting INEC, and joining forces with it, just to victimize the leadership of the Labour Party.
“Is it not seemingly absurd that the INEC you are embracing today and welcoming with open arms is the same INEC, which betrayed us during the last election. I ask, where was this loyalty when INEC failed to protect the will of the people in 2023? Let us not be fooled, my friends. INEC has not changed, and come 2027, they will once again serve you the portage with the same dish.
“In as much as we are not saying that Abure or his executive members must remain in office ad-infinitum, however we would like to make it abundantly clear that this current National Working Committee is a product of a valid convention.
“It will take another convention in 2028 to enthrone a new executive. It is even surprising that some of the dramatis-personae who played key role in the success of the convention are now the ones leading the vanguard to exterminate the product of the convention.
“We want to put it on record that the Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice J.K Omotosho had declared that the national convention of the party held in Nnewi on the March 26, 2024 is valid and one conducted in line with the requirement of both the 2022 Electoral Act and Labour Party Constitution.
“The Supreme Court in several judgements had also ruled that Issues regarding delegates at a National Convention or how the convention is planned and executed by a political party are outside the jurisdiction of any Court of the land being internal affairs of the – such a Party.
“Therefore, not even INEC can deregister Labour Party as being peddled by some of our leaders. INEC as an institution is bound to respect the laws of the land as clearly stated in Sections 82(1), 82(3) and 82(5) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Articles 7, 13(1), 13(1) (b) (ii), 13(1) (b) (viii) and 13 (1) (ix) of the party constitution and cannot afford to act irrational even if it wants to. ”
Following her appointment as national caretaker chairman of the Labour Party by stakeholders in Umuahia on 4th September, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman has pledged to overcome current challenges and reset it as a viable alternative platform for Nigerians
She made the commitment at the inaugural meeting of the National Caretaker Committee in Abuja on Tuesday, September 24, 2024.
In her address, Senator Usman called on committee members to carry out their assignments with integrity, emphasizing the need for sacrifice and a focus on the party’s and the nation’s interests.
“We are on a rescue mission, not just for the Labour Party but for our dear nation, Nigeria,” she said, highlighting the widespread support her committee has received from across party lines.
“Our party, by the grace of Almighty God, will become a platform for all Nigerians who feel disenfranchised and unhappy with the current state of affairs. This is a significant national assignment,” she added.
Speaking at the meeting, Datti Baba-Ahmed, the running mate of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, expressed concern about the current economic crisis in the country.
He noted that the Labour Party had warned Nigerians of the potential consequences of allowing the All Progressives Congress (APC) to govern.
Baba-Ahmed, representing Peter Obi at the event, reiterated the party’s readiness to build on the momentum of the 2023 elections and aim for success in 2027.
“We are a force to contend with in Africa,” he said, referring to the party’s past efforts to claim its 10 million votes in court. He further criticized the APC, citing the worsening economy, insecurity, and poorly managed subsidy removal. “We warned Nigerians of the dangers of the APC, and unfortunately, it is happening.”
Baba-Ahmed also addressed the leadership tussle within the party, clarifying that former National Chairman Julius Abure was not removed by any governor but by the expiration of his tenure.
He extended an olive branch, urging Abure and his team to join hands with the Caretaker Committee to rebuild the Labour Party.
“Abure is our good friend and a loyal member. We have roles for him and all former NEC and NWC members; they are welcome to come and join us,” he stated.
The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Ikechukwu Emetu, representing Governor Alex Otti, charged committee members to work diligently for the party’s growth and avoid any actions detrimental to its interests.
Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the Committee Secretary, emphasized that the committee is committed to organizing elections for ward, LGA, state, and national officers within its time frame.
“We have hit the ground running, setting up essential subcommittees to drive our mandate. We will ensure proper sensitization, advocacy, and consensus building, starting from the grassroots up to the national convention,” he explained.
With the committee inaugurated and essential subcommittees established, Senator Usman and her team are set to lead the Labour Party toward a path of reconciliation and revitalization in preparation for the challenges ahead.
The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has debunked a relentless smear campaign against the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi.
In a statement, POMR Spokesman Ibrahim Umar accused “desperate traducers” of spreading false information and twisting facts to tarnish Obi’s image.
He cited examples of imaginary arrests, fabricated connections to the US Republican Party and Donald Trump, and manipulated public appearances.
Umar argued that these malicious attempts aim to discredit Obi and curry favor with the Democratic Party, but instead highlight the incumbent administration’s weaknesses and harmful policies.
The statement reiterated the position that Obi has remained a prominent figure, emerging as the conscience and hope of the people.
He urged Nigerians to remain undistracted and committed to a new Nigeria.
The statement reads,
“For the umpteenth time, the Peter Obi Media office, POMR would have a course to address the wicked propagandists who indulge in the distortion of facts while desperately looking for a brush to tar the impeccable image of our Principal, Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 polls.
“For these traducers, it would be a huge omission for a day to pass without finding something to negatively link Obi within the media space, if he and his family members are not being arrested imaginarily (a kite being flown to test waters?), he is being wickedly accused of sponsoring violence or twisting his public appearances in a manner to suite their dubious motives.
“Perhaps the most laughable of such delusions is the Presidency’s effort to ridicule Obi by dragging his name into the United States of America, USA electioneering process, by scandalously linking him with the Republican Party Candidate, Donald Trump.
“We are very much aware of the motive behind these ridiculous comparisons, which is their uncanny way of currying favour so undeserved from the Democrats. Nigerians who mused about the derisory and facetious comparison have tried to ask: ‘Will your calling Peter Obi ‘a Trump’, translate to or mean that Tinubu is Harris’?
“Every discerning mind who wants to compare Obi and Tinubu and attempts to equate them with the two American Presidential candidates, Trump and Harris, knows too well the similarities and parallels in terms of morality, transparency, good-standing antecedents and people-focused policies.
“The Presidency by indulging in such clever-by-half comparisons, which are intended to discredit Obi, merely brings to the fore the glaring weaknesses of the incumbent administration and their crassness and inability to discern the realities and especially the pains and pangs their actions and policies foisted on the nation in the past year. “Nigerians are not so gullible to be fooled by such empty propaganda.
“It’s even ironic that the spin doctors of a leader who since the early campaign days into over a year as President has remained disturbingly aloof and seemingly incapable of presenting himself and his policies to the Nigerians through the media, and who has continued to evade public accountability, are trying to malign Obi who has easily emerged in all ramifications as the most visible, focused and articulate political personality in this dispensation.
“Obi remains a man who has not only become the conscience of the people but also their hope for a new and egalitarian Democracy.
“Rather than strive to market and justify their rusty and anti-people deleterious policies that have put Nigeria and Nigerians in the most horrendous, conditions, they have resolved to convey misleading accounts of our Principal’s activities just to distract the credulous public.
“While we understand the frustration of selling a bad product in a competitive market, the FairPlay rule demands that you don’t de-market the good product by forcefully associating it with the ugly product.
“We know the intention of these trolls and spin doctors, who have also gone ahead to provoke our Principal’s massive supporters across the country and diaspora by twisting his recent media interview to insinuate that he is ready to be Vice President to anyone.
“But that fallacy could not be true of a man who has repeatedly stated in various forums that he is not desperate to be President but desperate to see Nigeria work.
“Such plebian conduct that is utterly devoid of integrity, remains the height of mischief from propagandists, who are envious of the rising profile of our Principal.
Finally, POMR pleaded with Nigerians especially the Obidients within and outside the country and across all the political parties to remain undistracted in their aspiration and desire to see a new Nigeria that is P0ssible.
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