A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Ulasi, has said the party would gladly welcome Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi back to its fold ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, Ulasi maintained that Obi’s credibility and popularity would significantly boost the PDP’s chances.
I’ll be happy if he joins PDP because he will bring his credibility to bear on the party as we are reorganising.
Any party that has him today will know they already have more than 30 to 40 percent of the election because he has tremendous support across this country,” he said.
Ulasi, however, observed that Obi’s political future remained unclear.
To the best of my knowledge, Peter Obi has no platform. He ran last time with Labour Party, he has attended the launching of ADC. I don’t know what his platform will be,” he added.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State (2006–2014), previously ran as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in 2019.
He defected from the party in May 2022 after withdrawing from its presidential primary and subsequently emerged as the Labour Party’s flag bearer.
His 2023 campaign, powered by the “Obidient Movement,” attracted massive youth support and disrupted the traditional two-party race, with Obi finishing third behind Bola Tinubu of the APC and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.
The Labour Party (LP) has declared that its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, will not be given the party’s ticket for the 2027 general elections.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, made this known on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Lunchtime Politics.
We are going to do our 2027 without Peter Obi; he will not have our ticket,” Arabambi said, while stressing that the party’s momentum in the last election was not solely because of Obi but largely driven by the EndSARS movement and widespread discontent with the former president Muhammadu Buhari administration.
Arabambi also accused the LP’s acting National Chairperson, Nenadi Usman, and activist, Aisha Yesufu, of colluding with Obi, adding that the party would take steps to expel them. He further challenged Obi to openly announce his departure from the party.
Obi has one leg in Labour Party, one leg in PDP, and one leg in ADC. If he believes he has the proficiency on his own to have seven million votes in 2027, we advise him to pronounce his departure from Labour Party,” he added
Obi, who came third in the 2023 presidential election, has publicly backed the African Democratic Congress (ADC) but has yet to formally defect to the coalition platform.
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to take advantage of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
INEC on Monday commenced the nationwide CVR exercise, which includes online pre-registration, ahead of the forthcoming off-cycle elections in Anambra, Osun and Ekiti States, as well as the 2027 general elections
In a statement shared on his social media handle titled “PVC is the bridge to a New Nigeria”, Obi urged Nigerians, both young and old, to register and ensure they are eligible to vote.
His statement reads, “The future of our dear nation is in your hands. The greatest strength of democracy is in the voter’s card. Your PVC is the voice of the voiceless, the shield of the weak, and the weapon of the poor for a better life against injustice and bad leadershiappeal to every Nigerian: Get organised and make election rigging difficult. Go out, register, collect your PVC, and hold it firmly as your bridge to a new Nigeria.
Let us know this: those who buy votes are not offering you charity; they only invest in their own corruption. They buy votes so that they can buy their way into our treasury to steal public money.
When they get into that office, they will loot the funds that should have been used to build schools, hospitals or provide good jobs. Such people are not leaders, they are criminals in disguise. They are no better than killers, armed robbers, and kidnappers, because they commit the same crime of destruction.
To those who sell their votes, you are not just selling an election, you are selling the very opportunities that would have lifted you and your family out of poverty.
You are selling the schools that your children should have attended, the hospitals that should save your loved ones and the jobs that would have given you dignity and a better life. Those who buy your vote are only buying it to make a profit from the seat of power, not to serve you.
The power to change this country is in your hands, the looters will only loot when we give them the opportunity. Your vote counts, if it doesn’t, they would not be desperately buying that vote.”
The former governor stated that every Nigerian must rise and take responsibility for building the nation.
Peter Obi added that “Our democracy is at stake. That is why I urge every eligible Nigerian to register, collect, and safeguard your PVC, and when the time comes, use it wisely. Vote for leaders of competence, character, capacity, and compassion.
Leaders who will put you first. Do not be intimidated, do not be deceived, and do not be bought.”
He urged everyone to stand together and prove that Nigeria belongs to the people, not to those who trade the future for their selfish gain.
Register to vote, because a new Nigeria starts with you,” Peter Obi concluded.
Former vice-president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has warned that any threat against his former presidential running mate, Peter Obi, is a threat against “all of us”.
Atiku stated this in a terse tweet on Tuesday afternoon.
He simply wrote: “Let it be known that a threat against Peter Obi or any of us is a threat against ALL of us! -AA”
Atiku’s comments come days after the governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, warned Obi not to visit the state without security clearance.
Okpebholo claimed that the last time Obi visited the state and made a donation of N15 million to a nursing school in the state, there was unrest in Benin City, the state capital, leading to the death of some people.
The governor’s comments were met with outrage and criticisms.
The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi on Friday visited the St. John Vianney College Ukwulu, Anambra state.
Obi’s visit comes shortly after the institution emerged victorious at the inaugural UK-Nigeria Debate Championship.
In a post made on X, the former governor of Anambra State said he visited the college in line with his desire to keep investing in the future of Nigerian children.
He added that he congratulated the students and members of the staff for their success in the debate.
He wrote, “In recognition of their brilliance and to support their continued growth, I presented the school with a ₦10 million donation towards infrastructural development. A sound learning environment remains essential if our children are to compete globally.
“I encouraged the students to see their victory as a collective triumph for all young Nigerians who believe that excellence can emerge from our classrooms. I urged them to keep studying hard, reminding them that their future – and the nation’s – lies in their hands,” Obi said
He further appreciated the management of the institution for their efforts in ensuring quality education for the students.
I also extend deep appreciation to the school’s proprietor, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (Fr. Ebube Muonso), for his visionary leadership and commitment to academic excellence and moral formation. His dedication has created an environment where students can thrive, not just locally, but on the global stage.
The team at St. John Vianney exemplifies what Nigerian youths can achieve when given the right foundation. I am deeply inspired by their discipline, eloquence, and intellect. May their success continue to inspire many more across the country,” Obi noted.
Close allies of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have fired back at veteran actor and former campaign spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, over allegations of betrayal.
Naija News reports that Okonkwo, in a viral podcast interview released on Saturday, accused Obi of abandoning him after the 2023 elections and siding with a faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure, despite repeated warnings
Several reactions have trailed the comment that was made by the former governor of Anambra state and Labour Party, LP, candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Gregory Obi after he heard that social media influencer, Martin Vincent Otse popularly known as VeryDarkMan has been arrested.
According to VANGUARD, VeryDarkMan was arrested and detained by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC after he visited a bank in Abuja.
However, the former governor of Anambra state has now shared his thoughts. In a post that he shared on his official X handle on Sunday, he condemned the manner in which the social media influencer was arrested.
Here is what Peter Obi wrote on his official X handle
“If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability”.
Kindly read a few comments from some of the people who shared their thoughts on the post below;
Obasempire reports that the National Working Committee of the Labour Party, headed by Julius Abure, has urged the National Security Adviser and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to probe Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and Afenifere leaders for alleged misappropriation of funds from the 2023 presidential campaign.
This appeal was made by the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, during a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday.
Arabambi voiced concern over recent remarks by Yesufu, who defended herself against claims of involvement in the alleged mismanagement of 2023 campaign funds.
The party accuses Yesufu, Pastor Ighodalo, and other collaborators of mishandling and diverting over N12bn and $15m in donations meant for the Labour Party’s campaign.
Arabambi dismissed Yesufu’s denials as attempts to conceal the purported financial wrongdoing and criticized her statements as an affront to the party’s leadership.
He also charged Yesufu and her associates with operating under Obi’s influence, labeling him a “political merchant” intent on defrauding the party.
Furthermore, Arabambi implicated Afenifere leaders, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni, accusing them of holding over N600m in private accounts associated with Afenifere.
He alleged that these individuals were employed by Obi to commit fraud and siphon funds from the Labour Party’s presidential campaign.
“The trio of Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Akin Osuntokun, and Sola Ebiseni were involved in financial infractions totaling over ₦600m, which they have kept in private accounts and Afenifere accounts,” Arabambi stated. “Peter Obi allegedly hired Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, and this faction of Afenifere to commit looting, criminal conspiracy, and diversion of funds from the Labour Party’s presidential campaign while presenting themselves as elder statesmen.”
Arabambi highlighted the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability and called for an investigation into all bank accounts associated with the alleged misconduct.
He urged a thorough investigation into the accounts linked to Adebanjo, Osuntokun, and Ebiseni to ascertain the extent of Afenifere’s involvement in the alleged fraud.
The National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement, Dr. Yunisa Tanko, described the allegations as baseless and false.
“The allegations are unfounded. I was present when Aisha Yesufu provided the audited account of the presidential campaign fund, and the truth is that no money is missing from the Labour Party’s accounts,” Dr. Tanko stated in a phone conversation with our correspondent.
The Deputy Leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, when contacted, said he was not familiar with the allegations. “I have just seen the lengthy press statement you are referring to. I have not read it, but if Afenifere needs to respond later, we will certainly do so,” Olaitan said.
Obasempire reports that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has urged the public to direct their prayers towards securing competent leaders for Nigeria instead of concentrating on prayers for the nation itself.
During his appearance on News Central TV on Monday, September 9, Obi clarified that Nigeria is already richly endowed, but its advancement has been obstructed by self-serving and ineffective politicians.
“Don’t pray for Nigeria, because the nation is already blessed. Instead, pray for us to have good leaders. The problem lies with the people, not with the country,” Obi said, emphasising the importance of leadership in driving the nation’s development.
He further explained that with selfless and visionary leadership, Nigeria would make significant progress, ensuring a better quality of life for all citizens.
“If we have leaders who prioritise the country’s welfare over personal interests, Nigeria will thrive, and the people will enjoy a better life,” he added.
Obi’s comments highlight his belief that the nation’s challenges stem from poor leadership and not from any lack of potential or resources, hence his advise that Nigerians direct their prayers towards fostering good governance and ensuring that the right people are in positions of power.
Obasempire reports that the leading Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has issued a firm warning against any planned assaults on Igbos in Lagos State and other South-West regions.
The organization was reacting to a post by an X user, Lagospedia, advocating for the forced displacement of Igbo individuals.
In a statement from the National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the Council condemned the call as unpatriotic and menacing, asserting that any aggression towards Ndigbo would be met with strong retaliation.
The statement, titled “Enough is Enough,” cautioned that the Igbo community will not tolerate any efforts to provoke violence or undermine their presence in the nation.
Okwu Nnabuike assured that the Igbos are unafraid and should not be mistaken for weaklings due to their previous restraint.
He urged those spreading divisive rhetoric to stop immediately, emphasizing that the Igbo people are a vital part of Nigeria and deserve equal respect and protection.
“We want to unequivocally declare today that Ndigbo are not cowards; our forefathers were not cowards; they were brave, and so are we.
“We warn those fanning the embers of discord not to mistake the calmness of the lion for weakness; we are not afraid and should not be pushed to the wall by faceless miscreants.
“Any attack on Ndigbo by anybody will be met with unimaginable retaliation. We are not second-class citizens of this country. No one is more Nigerian than the Igbos,” the release stated.
