In the southeastern region, a group says they will ensure that Mr Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party, secures 99% of votes in 2023.
National Coordinator, Southeast for President 2023 Movement, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha made the declaration on Sunday in Enugu at the Obi-Datti support groups conference organised by the Alliance For a New Nigeria (AFANN).
Obioha said their party would not give rival political parties the opportunity they had when they scored between 5 and 20% of votes at the 2015 and 2019 general elections in the Southeast.
“We were looking for an alternative and with the movement that is going on in the country as well as our grassroots movement, Obi is sure of 99 per cent votes from the Southeast.
“The group has been educating voters on the importance of voting,” he added.
Obioha stressed that just as deceased President Umaru Yar’Adua was not president of the north and President Goodluck Jonathan was not president of the Niger Delta, Obi would not be president of the Southeast, but of Nigeria.
The coordinator was impressed with AFANN’s abilities to plan a conference that would bring together the various support groups for the LP presidential candidate.
Okoro Louis, National Coordinator of the AFANN, said during his opening remarks that the purpose of the conference was to unite all pressure groups supporting Peter Obi and to work together as one.
The conference will help get new ideas for programs that will ensure the success of the presidential candidate.
“We have started grouping the groups. We have an office and we’re inviting any support groups which don’t have an office to use our office.”
“AFFANN is using this opportunity to ask everybody to come together so that our ideas will work as a team.
“From what I saw today, the various groups support the conference,’’ he said.
In his remarks, AFANN’s Director, Legal and Communication, Mr Ejike Nwobodo said that it would be nice if other support groups could work together and help deliver the Obi-Datti ticket.
He said that, in any situation where those with money can assist those without, the outcome depends on a high level of cooperation and collaboration.
“After today, we look forward to follow-up conferences which will no longer be organised by AFANN,’’ he said.
Earlier, Prof. Eddie Oparaoji, Chairman Labour Party, U.S.A who spoke through zoom said there was the need to bond various groups supporting the Obi-Datti ticket together.
Oparaoji emphasized that the LP, in the USA would partner and support credible support groups for the realization of Obi’s ambition in Nigeria, especially in the Southeast geopolitical zone.
