Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has stated that he and the party’s presidential candidate were not surprised by Nigeria’s current economic challenges, having previously cautioned against the All Progressives Congress (APC) coming to power in 2023.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Labour Party’s Interim National Caretaker Committee in Abuja, Baba-Ahmed, on behalf of Peter Obi, expressed confidence that the party could surpass its 2023 performance in the 2027 elections by winning a majority in the National Assembly and securing the presidency.
“We didn’t have a crisis; we managed a transition that was a bit bumpy,” Baba-Ahmed said. “No other political party of our size could do that in the time and manner that we did. We are a force to contend with in Africa.”
Baba-Ahmed pointed out the party’s accomplishments, noting their efforts to secure 10 million votes through the Supreme Court, though they were only credited with 6 million.
He stressed that the Labour Party’s rise was organic, fueled by the support of the Nigerian people and the “Obedients” movement, which enabled them to triumph over two established parties in court.
The former Federal lawmaker also addressed the party’s leadership dispute, clarifying that Julius Abure’s removal was due to the expiration of his tenure, not the influence of any governor. He urged Abure and his team to collaborate with the Caretaker Committee in rebuilding the party.
Senator Nenadi Usman, Chairman of the Labour Party’s National Caretaker Committee, reassured members of the committee’s commitment to revitalizing the party and providing Nigerians with a credible alternative. She called for sacrifices from both party members and supporters.
Representing Governor Alex Otti, Abia State Deputy Governor Ikechukwu Emetu encouraged committee members to prioritize the party’s growth and avoid counterproductive behavior. The committee’s Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, outlined their objectives, which include electing officers from the ward to the national level through effective sensitization, advocacy, and consensus building.
The committee has commenced its work by swearing in members and establishing key subcommittees to advance its goals and mandate.
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