A group on the platform of South-South Emerging Leaders’ Forum (SELF) has cautioned former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, to stop threatening the recently formed Coalition under the platform of African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Forum also alleged that it has reliable information that Peter Obi will eventually dump the Coalition like he did before presidential primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2022.
In a statement released Thursday, signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Benjamin Kolowei, the Forum said if Obi will continue to blackmail the Coalition to zone presidential ticket to the South, the Northern region too should start agitation to have it so as to complete its share of 18 years the Southern Nigeria has held sway in the presidency.
The group wondered why Peter Obi was afraid of open and transparent primary election.
“We note that Mr. Peter Obi and his obedient movement, in the recent time, have resulted to threatening and blackmailing the leadership of Coalition, we make bold to tell the former Anambra Governor that such strategy will not work, in fact, it has failed woefully.
“Record has shown that Mr. Obi has history of running away for primary election, which is the major aspect of democratic culture. If Mr. Obi claim to be a democrat, why is he always avoiding primary election? Why is he looking for a free presidential ticket? He did that as a governor and as recent as 2023, Mr. Obi abandoned PDP when it was time for primary election.
“As a forum of professionals and emerging leaders, we will not fold our hands and tolerate Peter Obi to frustrate the ongoing arrangements to rescue our Nation and have a credible alternative to the APC.
“We, hereby call on Mr. Peter Obi to stop his pretentious lifestyle as if he is a saint or the only Messiah Nigeria is waiting for. If Mr. Obi want to participate in a democratic contest he should respect the rules of the game. Though, he has never fought or contributed to development of democratic process in Nigeria, so he does not know what it takes.
“Obi and his Obidients should learn early that democracy is about contest, not about free launch or free ticket. It is not about blackmail.
“If Obi is looking for where he will be given free presidential ticket, the door is open. Although we have gathered reliably that Mr. Obi has secured another platform where he will soon unveil to contest in 2027, it is high time the leaders of ADC Coalition not sleep with their two eyes closed. We are making it public that Peter Obi is not ready to cooperate and work with Coalition leaders,” it stated.
The group called on the David Mark-led ADC leadership not to bow to any pressure to zone the ticket of the party to any zone, adding that Nigerians should be allowed to decide what they want.
“We are appealing that the ADC National leadership should ensure a credible and transparent primary election that will produce an acceptable candidate. Whoever win the primary should be supported by all. If it is Peter Obi, if he still remain in Coalition, should not be denied the massive support,” the statement added.
