Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has said that when the Nanadi Usman- led caretaker committee finished rebuilding the party, elected officials under the party platform would no longer be on transit.
Obi, who was referring to the exodus of many of the people elected on the party platform, noted that the party belonged to all citizens of Nigeria and not a select few.
He said currently more Nigerians were being impoverished in the present dispensation as many have resorted to begging to survive.
According to him, “now, every time I come to the place (Transcorp Hilton, Abuja) more and more people beg me for money.”
Obi made the remark while addressing party chieftains on Wednesday in Abuja in the aftermath of the Supreme Court judgement at a stakeholders engagement organised by the caretaker committee led by Senator Nenadi Usman.
The apex court had last Friday urged LP to return home to harmonise its leadership problems.
The court had ruled that matters of election of principal officers in political parties are outside the jurisdiction of the courts.
As part of the judgment, the Supreme Court quashed earlier judgements by the Federal High Court and Court of Appeal on the matter.
Earlier, the chairman of the caretaker committee, Nenadi Usman, called on the ousted national chairman of the party and former NWC members, to join hands in rebuilding the party.
This is as he observed that the apex court`s decision remains noteworthy, and an auspicious moment in the party’s history where truth, integrity and responsible leadership are given legal validation.
According to her, the court had set the tone for the rebirth of the party, and for the party to push forward with its avowed principles to its members and the country at large.
“It is indeed a triumph for the rule of law, good governance and for all who stand for the truth and sincerity of purpose in seeing that those with the best interest for our dear party, and country, are allowed to validly proceed accordingly.
“May I use this opportunity to express our gratitude to the party membership and Nigerians at large for standing firm with the caretaker committee and believing that a new labour party with a breath of fresh air is possible.
“Whilst celebrating our well-deserved victory, I would like to reiterate that some of the foundation stones of this party are unity, team spirit and reconciliation. The apex court has rightly delivered its judgement, and it is time to sheathe all swords.
“The time to make things right is now. The time to build a viral opposition is now. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we have the duty to look at the big picture, in spite of any venal or personal dreams.
“I also want to thank the judiciary and Nigerians once again for standing firm in the face of challenges, thereby renewing our faith in democracy and the future of Nigeria,” she said.
On his part, Abia state governor, Alex Otti called on Abure to resist the temptation to be an obstacle in the party’s progress.
He said the sacked national chairman must obey the Supreme Court judgment, as he cautioned against fighting.
Otti said the party was ready to offer the ousted chairman the position of Chairman, Board of Trustees, as he reminded Abure that attempts to resist the court judgment is similar to postponing the doomsday.