By Chris Udochukwu
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi has implored compatriots to work hard to ensure that Nigeria’s democracy survived.
The Labour Party Party’s standard bearer made the appeal on Thursday at the Leadership Summit of the Coalition for Peter Obi/Labour Party holding at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja.
A statement signed by the image maker for the Thirdforce, Dr Yunusa Tanko quoted Obi as saying, “We understand that, and that is why the people gathered here, Nigerian Youths and some of us elders, have vowed to take back Nigeria.”
The party’s candidate in his speech titled , “Nigeria’s Democracy Must Survive”, stresses that the Summit was part of the struggle to save Nigeria, adding, “from where I stand, I dare to proclaim that Nigeria’s Democracy Must Survive! That is our task. That is our Mission.”
He described Obidient Movement as Coalition of Nigerian youths and elders, who have vowed to take back Nigeria from those who had held the Nigeria captive over the years.
Obi said he was happy that quite a large number of people have decided to be part of the struggle to rescue the country, and make it a Secure, United and Productive nation.
He also stressed that the aim and focus of his government if voted into power would be on youth, good governance and a new Nigeria of justice and equity.
“Our national challenges are daunting, but our determination is assuredly unwavering.” He said adding, “sadly, amidst the above overwhelming situations, our current political class keeps punching the air. Indeed, the greatest challenge we face beyond bad leadership, is lack of elite consensus.”
“But let us not forget Dante Alighieri‘s admonition, that “The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in times of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality.
“History must serve as a tool in our decision making. The implosion of Nigeria has long been forecasted. Year 2023 could be a tipping point in the annals of our history. But that must not happen, even as the options before the electorate seem stark.”
Obi who assured his supporters that as a people-oriented party and movement, the people remain the fulcrum of Labour Party’s collective quest to take back Nigeria also stressed, “the people are our STRUCTURE. I therefore urge you not to yield to the deceptive narrative of lack of Structure in the Movement. You all seated here are the Structures we seek.
“The current structures of both the PDP and the APC are the stomach infrastructure that has brought us nothing but misery.
“Their understanding of structure is sharing of Nigeria’s patrimony to vested interests and influence peddlers. That is against what Peter Obi represents; that is against what Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed represents; and it is indeed, against the vision of the party”.
