Labour Party (LP) presidential aspirant, Prof. Pat Utomi, has withdrawn from the 2023 race. Utomi said he was quitting to back the party’s new entrant and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.
Utomi spoke in Asaba, Delta State capital at the ongoing national convention of the LP on Monday.
The whole hall venue of convention erupted with cheers and standing ovation the moment that Prof. Utomi announced that he stepped down for Obi.
Former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has arrived at the venue of the Labour Party Convention.
Oseloka Henry Obaze, former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate, disclosed this.
Obi, who is putting on a black shirt with the party’s logo on it, was flanked by Professor Pat Utomi and other party stakeholders.
Obi had last week resigned from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and withdrew from the presidential race.
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In a letter he sent to his ward chairman, Peter Obi opined: “It has been a great honor to contribute to nation-building efforts through our party. Unfortunately, recent developments within our party make it practically impossible to continue participating and making such constructive contributions.
“Our national challenges are deep-seated and require that we each make profound sacrifices towards rescuing our country. My commitment to rescuing Nigeria remains firm, even if the route differs.
“I wish to thank you personally for your graciousness and leadership. I wish you well and best of luck in the service of the country.“
However, defecting to his new party a day after dumping PDP, Obi said: “Since I resigned from the PDP because of issues that are at variance with my persona and principles, I have consulted widely with various parties and personalities to ensure we do not complicate the route to our desired destination.
“For me, the process of achieving our goal is as fundamental as what one will do thereafter.
“Therefore, I have chosen a route that I consider to be in line with our aspirations and my mantra of taking the country from consumption to production; and that is the Labour Party which is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family.
“I invite all Nigerians to join me in taking back our country. “Be assured that I’ll never let you down.”
It is worthy to note that the economic expert had in one of his interviews argued that he was not desperate to become Nigeria’s president, but desperate to see Nigeria work for the youths and children.
“I’m not desperate to become Nigeria’s president, but desperate to see Nigeria work for the youths and children” he was quoted to have said.
However, the question in everyone’s mind is: would Obi emerge as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party? And what is his fate in Labour Party?
Time will reveal all these in a short while.