Peter Obi, former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), on Monday, seemingly responded to a report that he was in talks with Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso for a possible merger to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress (APC), assuring supporters of his commitment to the party.
Speaking at a mega rally in Edo State ahead of the local government elections in the state, Obi told hundreds of party supporters that some of the things they are hearing everywhere were rumours.
“Labour Party will continue to grow. We will continue to go stronger (and) better. Half of the things you are hearing everywhere are rumours, don’t listen to them. We are committed to building a better and a new Nigeria where we will move Nigeria from consumption to production,” Obi said to loud cheers from the crowd.
Obi, Julius Abure, the party’s national chairman and Olumide Akpata, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), also urged the people to come out en masse to vote for the candidates vying for the chairmanship seats of the 18 local government areas of Edo State.
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The trio, who gave the advice during the Edo State Labour Party mega rally for local government elections ahead of the council poll slated for 3 September, 2023, explained that the local government is the fulcrum for the growth of any society.
Obi noted that development is domiciled in local government areas especially in health and education sectors, hence the need for those in authority to prioritize these areas to drive growth in grassroot.
The former Anambra state Governor, who stressed on how political office holders woo the electorate but end up not meeting expectations, said the time for unfulfilled promises are over.
He urged the chairmanship as well as council candidates to deliver on their promises to their various councils if they emerge victorious.
He, however, lamented the prevailing situation confronting Nigerians, urging those presiding over the affairs to account for public money, do the right thing for the interest of the citizenry and pull people out of poverty.