IBADAN, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, tackled the Spokesperson, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Management Committee, Dino Melaye at the presidential town hall meeting organized by Arise TV on Sunday.
The drama started after Dino Melaye tagged an attendee of the meeting ‘Obi people.’
As one of the attendees stood up to question the presidential candidates, Dino was heard saying “Na wa o, Obi people.”
On hearing the words of Dino, Peter Obi snapped at the PDP official.
Peter Obi spoke harshly from his seat, saying: “Stop that Dino. Why are you always calling me? I won’t take that. This man is from ANPP. Why are you calling him Obi people?”
The event got off a shaky start on Sunday night, after audience kicked against the participation of the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa who represented the party’s flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar.
The supporters of the LP, the NNPP and the PRP who were unhappy with Atiku’s absence heckled Okowa, stating that the event was meant for presidential candidates only.
Shouting “No representation by proxy,” the supporters prevented the programme from kicking off on time as the organizers sought to pacify them.
When calm was restored, all four candidates including Okowa, were allowed to speak to the audience for a few minutes.
Okowa later explained why his principal, Atiku Abubakar didn’t show up.
“Atiku Abubakar duly obtained permission from the organisers of the town hall meeting for him to be represented and that permission was duly given. Atiku Abubakar is outside the country and he has asked me to represent him.
“I think that answers the question to earlier concerns raised. This is just a town hall meeting not the actual debate,” he added.