Former Labour Party national secretary faults Peter Obi’s presidential campaign

A former National Secretary of the Labour Party and lawyer, Dr Kayode Ajulo, has faulted the manner in which the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, is going about his presidential campaigns. 

He alleged that “Obi’s manifesto is more of rhetorical analysis than viable plans to solving the myriad of problems (or even one of them) facing this country at this critical time.”

The rights activist made this statement while reacting to political developments in the country via a telephone interview on Wednesday, in London, UK. 

“I have listened to Peter Obi at different times since he began his campaign and I can say that he has not been able to convince discerning Nigerians of his readiness for the job for which he campaigns. All he has been saying are what should be done which, is not alien to every Nigerian (after all, even the street hawker knows the problem with Nigeria) but has failed to advance any plan about his solutions to resolving those issues in concrete terms and how he intends to do them. Obi merely complains, which he and his uncritical followers mistake for a manifesto,” Ajulo said.

He further opined that Obi needs to put together a convincing and achievable manifesto rather than make unrealistic references to nations whose diverse beliefs and cultures are totally at variance with Nigeria.

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The lawyer also alleged that Mr Obi’s choice of a running mate may be another albatross on his ambition. 

“It would seem that Obi did very little consultations with the northern critical stakeholders in determining the choice of his running mate”, he said.

He said Mr Obi should have allowed input from those who are critical to the prevailing situation of the country to influence his choice of a Vice President. 

Ajulo said, “Peter Obi’s running mate, Senator Batti Baba Ahmed is an intelligent and a good man, certainly qualified for the job of even the President but the present situation of the country is not only about looking good on one’s certificates or even in the bank.  The challenge that has bred economic hardship in Nigeria even in the midst of our plenty should have been a major point of concern before picking his running mate. To me, that challenge is the state of insecurity in the country which has risen exponentially in the last decade. I honestly believe that that should be the first thing to consider because nothing can properly work amidst insecurity.”

He further opined that, “even as it appears that the Buhari administration is trying to tackle the issue of insecurity in the country, it still requires the coalition of people who understand the dynamics and who can proffer viable solution. I believe that Peter Obi would need the support of northern stakeholders, revered religious clerics and scholars like Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, Rev Fr. Mathew Kukah and notable labour leaders as well as former military leaders if he is really serious about the presidential race.

“Notable stakeholders as the Sheikh, the Reverend Father, seasoned political strategists, and experienced journalists are needed to ensure that Obi Presidency is a reality.”

Ajulo also frowned at the strategy deployed by Mr Obi’s supporters in marketing his ambition to the Nigerian people. 

“I have been involved in three major elections as a stakeholder in advisory positions at the federal level. I have also gathered enviable experiences as an activist and as a lawyer who has defended election-related issues. I know that mob action and evoking raw emotions without pragmatic approach are never veritable strategies to sell a candidate to the electorates,” he said.

“My greatest concern is with what the candidate himself can do (rather than his party) as well as the gains for the Nigerian people. Since I voluntarily resigned as the National Secretary of Labour Party, I remain a ranking caucus leader of the Labour/Civil  Movements and I am practically involved at the National level to assist political discourse in Nigeria, especially when it has to do with governance and the development of the people. This is part of what informed my support for Prof Yemi Osinbajo’s presidential ambition,” Ajulo concluded.