The presidential candidate of Labour Party in the last general election, Mr Peter Obi, has said that he is more concerned about the process that brings leaders to office, and not who the leader is.
Obi also stated that he was very sure in his spirit that he would be President of Nigeria, adding that he was not struggling to free Nigeria from bad leadership for the elite alone, but for every Nigerian.
The former Anambra State governor stated these in Awka on Friday, during the third and final unveiling of a book written in his honour titled, ‘Peter Obi: Many voices, One perspective’.
He said, “For three years, I was in court in Anambra to reclaim my mandate, just to challenge the process. Many people tried to discourage me, but I said even if the entire four-year tenure elapsed for us to prove a point and correct the process, I will be fulfilled.
“My argument is that, let’s do what is right. I always tell everyone that I will not give people money to do the wrong thing. I have been the chairman of a committee; TETFUND committee, and Prof. Yakubu Mahmud was my member. We know one another, but when he became INEC chairman, I have never met him. I told him, you are an umpire, just do what is right.
“If you have the chance to do the right thing and you insist on perpetuating anarchy, then, it will consume everybody one day. I insist that we must do the right thing.
“I was at an event yesterday (Thursday) in Abuja, and it was World Food Organisation. I listened to report that stated that Nigeria will face intense hunger in years to come. It is Nigeria that will face hunger, not Peter Obi.”
Obi also stated that Nigerians must cultivate a habit of doing the right thing, adding that if the people did not do the right thing, it would consume everybody someday.
“Anyone who thinks I am on a transit is wasting his time. Let me tell you, I must be the president of this country. I am sure of that. If it is not today, it must be tomorrow.
“Other people who want to be (president) should come and tell us what they want to do, and how to do it. This is my country, I don’t have dual citizenship. If anyone thinks I am going to run away from Nigeria, they are lying.
“I have three engagements in Anambra and Lagos today. I will be speaking in Lagos tonight. We will not leave Nigeria. I am not in a hurry to become the president, but I know it must happen,” Obi added.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion and traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Achebe, expressed the hope that Obi would reclaim his presidential mandate.
Acting LP chair summons Obi’s lawyers
Meanwhile, the factional leader of the Labour Party, Lamidi Apapa, on Friday gave the legal counsels representing the presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, at the election petitions tribunal a deadline of 48 hours to brief him on the latest developments.
Apapa’s ultimatum is coming hours after the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja ruled in his favour as the acting national chairman of the party.
In his ruling, Justice Hamza Muazu disclosed that he would go ahead to hear the substantive matter.
The matter was adjourned till Friday, May 19 for further deliberation.
An excited Apapa, who recently held a parallel meeting of the National Executive Council in Bauchi, spoke on the ruling in a viral video shared on Twitter.
He said, “I am so pleased that justice has taken place today. There is no doubt that I am now in charge. It has now been confirmed by the court that I have the right to be in charge until another order takes place.
“As of today, I am the acting national chairman of the party and any other person that parades himself as the chairman is doing so illegally.
“I want to invite all the lawyers that are in charge, representing Labour Party at the election tribunal, to give me updates in the next 48 hours because I am the one in charge and the one in the driver’s seat.”
