By Ogochukwu Isioma
The media office of former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has explained why he is supporting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate in Saturday’s Anambra State House of Assembly by-election.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) said the clarification was necessary following public speculation about Obi’s choice, especially ahead of the Labour Party (LP).
“Firstly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not been able to sort out Labour Party issues in this election. As at the time of issuing this statement, LP has no candidate in Saturday’s bye-election slated all over the country,” POMR said.
According to the statement, the ADC candidate in the Onitsha South constituency race is the widow of the late Labour Party lawmaker, Hon. Justice Azuka, who was killed by kidnappers in February this year.
“The leadership of both ADC and LP, as well as the Labour Party Senator and House of Representatives member, Tony Nwoye and Idu Emeka, respectively, and the House of Assembly Members in Onitsha South, on compassionate grounds, deemed it fit that the capable wife should go ahead to complete the tenure of her husband,” the statement added.
POMR stressed that Obi’s support for candidates outside the Labour Party is exceptional and only happens where the party has no candidate or there are no disputes over candidacy.
“Where issues of candidates are not in dispute, Obi always supports Labour Party flag bearers, as in the November gubernatorial poll, where our principal’s candidate is indisputably Chief George Moghalu of the Labour Party,” it said.
The media office emphasised that Obi’s decision in the Anambra by-election does not diminish his leadership role in the Labour Party or his membership of the broader political coalition pushing for reforms in Nigeria.
“By this clarification, it lays to rest the confusion in the minds of the public, as the situation has not in any way changed Obi’s leadership of the Labour Party and his membership of the Coalition. We therefore need to underscore the fact that Obi’s mission for a new Nigeria is on course and possible,” POMR concluded.
The Anambra by-election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 16, alongside similar polls across the country.