A Labour Party Chieftain in the South West and former adviser to President Obasanjo has described his former party the PDP and the ruling APC as “rotten status quo” that must be rejected by all Nigerians.
He also gave a hint that his former boss, former president Olusegun Obasnajor (OBJ) may support Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi, in the forth-coming election.
WHAT WE KNOW
Akin Osuntokun, a Chieftain of the Labour Party and former Political adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo has compared the acceptance of his party presidential candidate to that of former USA President Barack Obama.
The former presidential adviser to Olusegun Obasanjo also gave a hint that his former boss is likely to support Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi in the February presidential election.
On why he left the PDP for Labour Party, Osuntokun said Labour Party is consistent with his position in the last two years. The former Political adviser to former President Olusegun Obasanjo also urged Nigerians to overlook the APC and PDP in the forth-coming elections for the country to move forward.
Osuntokun described the agenda of both the All Progressive Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as detrimental to growth and development.
The South West Labour Party Chieftain noted that the 2023 General elections would be a war against what he described as rotten status quo and enemies of the Nigerian state.
Akin Osuntokun also queried the Economic Intelligence Unit predicting APC candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu as winner of the February presidential election. Discarding the report, the party chieftain condemned the factors used for the report.
NOTABLE QUOTES
Speaking on the a local Television Station, Akin Osuntokun made the following statements:
“Where I am (Labour Party) is consistent with the position I have taken in the past two years. Logically I am being consistent with my position.”
“The kind of politics in Nigeria is disastrous. The political structure is criminal. It’s ambiguous that people clamouring for change are the ones labelling those ready to work for such change. APC and PDP are known for crass insensitivity. They are coming with similar baggage that has matured in our fraudulent political system.
“In terms of evaluation from what is good and moving Nigeria forward, you cannot proceed from the platforms of APC and PDP. These parties aren’t consistent with what Nigerians need. So it’s only right to move away from the rotten status quo in the interest of the country.”
On President Obasanjo supporting Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi, Osuntokun said, “I think so”
BACKGROUND
Peter Obi emerged the presidential candidate of the Labour Party at the party’s convention held in Asaba last May.
Peter Obi who emergency as Labour Party flagbearer came after he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on principles, following the decision of the party to heavily monitise the presidential primary process.
The PDP presidential ticket was practically sold to the highest bidder, with Atiku Abubakar emerging as the winner.
Peter Obi has since after emerged the presidential candidate of the Labour Party gone ahead to gain monumental popularity across the country. Mr obi is arguably the most accepted presidential candidate while his party the Labour Party is the fastest growing political party in the country.
COMMENTARY
Indeed the rising popularity of Labour Party Presidential candidate Peter Obi is no longer in doubt, except for those who deliberately refuse to see it for reasons which only centers on self-denial.
The basic factor for Obi’s popularity is caused largely by the poor performance of the ruling APC which has not only failed, but is still progressively failing the nation on all front.
The Labour party presidential candidate is also a former two-term governor of Anambra State, during which he left some legacies that are today speaking to his credit and popularity.
Also the APC Government have consistent antagonized the Nigerian youths, especially following some notorious comments from President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the youths as lazy and painting Nigeria as corrupt on the international stage.
By ignoring the role of the youths in the next election and the need to appease them, the APC have rather unwisely made the wrong choice.
The failure of the APC government to resolve the ASUU strike so as to have the universities reopened after almost eight months now have also further antagonized the youths.
The need the for a departure from the past which the APC and PDP seems to perfectly represent may just gift Peter Obi and Labour Party the key to Aso Rock.
