I Have No Desire To Leave LP, No Collaboration With El-Rufai – Peter Obi

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has reiterated that he does not plan to leave the party.

He made the remarks on Sunday when he donated a borehole to Pantami Sheep Market in Gombe State.

The former Governor of Anambra State insisted that he would continue to stand for the peaceful resolution of issues in the party despite the Nigeria Labour Congress, through its spokesman, Benson Upah, saying that Obi is free to leave the LP.

According to him, the NLC cannot stand in the way of the presidential candidate should he decide to defect to another political platform.

While describing him as an asset, the spokesman reiterated that the congress would not stand in his way if he chose to leave.

However, the LP presidential candidate stated that he does not have a plan to dump the LP for the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

He said, “No, there is no such thing. I’m for peace, I like peace. I believe we are one people. Our concentration should be on peace, and I believe that we will resolve all situations.

“I only advocated for peace. I’m a man who believes in peace and unity. I believe that there is no difference between me and others but I have the grace of the Almighty.

“The Labour Party is not the problem of Nigeria; the problem of Nigeria is beyond the Labour Party, so my focus is on Nigeria. My promise is a new Nigeria, and that new Nigeria is where I’m focused, and we must remain focused on it.

“If it is not about the leadership of Nigeria, I wouldn’t have provided this water. Let’s talk about how people will live and eat; I assure you that the Labour Party will resolve those issues –it is family, no family without a fight, and no individual is perfect.

“That is why I’m coming down to the community. I could have sent someone to do this, but I said no, I am going to the communities and embracing them, talking to them and knowing how to solve their problems.

“I have said it before, I’m not desperate to be president, I’m desperate to see Nigeria working for poor people. It is important for me because we cannot continue this way.

“The poor people in this country are suffering a lot and I am urging all leaders –in and out of office, this is time for us to listen, time to work with them (the poor), time to feel a bit of their pain.”

While reacting to a possible collaboration with former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Obi said he is not concentrating on the 2027 election.

He said, “Well, I’m more interested now in Nigeria’s success today than tomorrow. We are always concentrating on the election rather than what Nigerians are going through. My commitment is about Nigerians living in a better society, given a better life, and that’s my concern.”

Speaking further, Obi said he is visiting various states of the country to meet the needs of people, especially during the Ramadan fasting by the Muslim faithful.