…Don’t Vote Based On Tribe, Religion, He Urges Electorate
By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Gregory Obi, has held a town hall meeting in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital as part of his campaign for the 2023 elections.
Obi, who stormed Maiduguri on Saturday, first addressed academics, students and youth groups at the Conference Hall, Pinnacle Hotels, before he later moved to Barwee Luxury Hotels, where he similarly had interface with various women groups.
Obi thereafter paid homage to the Shehu of Borno, His Royal Highness, Abubakar Ibn Garbai Elkanemi, in his palace.
Obi, after a marathon engagement, sought the monarch’s blessings for his aspiration ahead of the February 25, 2023 presidential polls.
The Shehu of Borno commended Obi for the visit and wished him well in his ambition.
The traditional ruler appealed to Obi, if elected as President, to revive the lake ChadBasin, resume oil exploration in the Basin, tackle insecurity, poverty and unemployment bedeviling the people of the state.
Obi and his entourage then proceeded to Ramat Square, the venue of the mega rally, which was attended by mamoth crowd of LP supporters.
He told the separate gatherings that time has come for all right thinking eligible voters to vote for Obi/Datti ticket to emerge President and Vice President, devoid of ethnic or religious sentiments, so as to rescue Nigeria and Nigerians from clutches of poverty, corruption, insecurity and the declined/poor educational system characterized with incessant ASUU strikes.
He alleged that in the last 24 years of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and All Prohressives Congress, APC, misrule, average Nigerians have been subjected to poverty, unemployment, insecurity, as ill-gotten public resources have remained in the hands of corrupt and selfish leaders.
He promised that if elected, all these atrocities posed on Nigerians would be eroded and he would reposition the country and it’s people to greater heights, irrespective of ethnic, tribal or religious considerations.
He also said that during his tenure as President, he will turn Nigeria from ‘consumption to production country.’
He said, “My people, time has come for all right thinking eligible voters to vote for Obi/Datti movement to emerge President and Vice President devoid of ethnic or religious sentiments, so we can collectively rescue Nigeria and Nigerians from clutches of poverty, corruption, insecurity and the declined/poor educational system characterized with incessant ASUU strikes.
“In the last 24 years of PDP and APC misrule, average Nigerians have been subjected to poverty, as many couldn’t buy bread or sugar, not to talk of essential food, this is in addition to unemployment, insecurity, because of ill-gotten public resources in the hands of corrupt and selfish leaders.
“I want to assure you that if given the mandate by voting for me massively and all LP candidates from top to bottom during the forthcoming general elections, all these atrocities posed on Nigerians would be eroded, as we will collectively reposition the country and it’s people to greater heights, irrespective of ethnic, tribal or religious considerations by God grace.”
He also boasted that he was the only presidential candidate that took time and visited Biu Local Government Area last three days ago, which is the zonal headquarters of Borno Souther senatorial district, because he believed in unified and one Nigeria project.
Assuring the people that a new Nigeria is possible, Obi said, “We are not going to give excuses. I am not going to remind you of where you’re coming from or to blame people where they failed.”
Obi who was hosted by the leaders of the party and gubernatorial candidate, Captain Ibrahim Kadafur, and the state LP Chairman, Ibrahim Goni Jere, promised to deliver LP in the coming elections in Borno.
Obi was accompanied to Maiduguri by his running mate, Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed, National Chairman of LP, Barr. Julius Abure, woman activist, Aishat Yesufu, who is member of Obi/Datti Movement, and host of party supporters.
