- By Halimah Olamide
*Says Those in Govt Must Change
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, Mr. Peter Obi, on Monday said sufferings and troubles have multiplied in Nigeria against the promises of those currently in government. Obi said those in government must do the right thing before the face the revolt of Nigerians. Speaking at the presentation of party flags to candidates for the forthcoming local government election in the state on Monday, Obi said the era of fake promises by elected office holders are gone.
“Wahala Dey,” Obi cried out to supporters as they hailed him on Monday in Benin.
In what appeared as a direct attack on the Bola Tinubu’s government, Obi said “Governments must account for public money,” adding “Across Nigeria, people are hungry, across Nigeria people are dying. Things don change. Those in government must change and do the right thing.”
NPO Reports that Obi contested for the presidential seat on the platform of the Labour party in February this year. He came third in the poll and currently challenging the election of Tinubu.
Speaking to the crowd at the mega rally, Obi told his audience, “People have suffered in this country. That suffering must end. We must pull people out of poverty.
Those of you contesting, go tell people what you will do. If you succeed, do it.”
Obi said most of the issues confronting the present government could be solved with ease.
“When I was campaigning to be president, I told the chairman, I would solve the problems of Nigeria. All the confusions they are causing today, can be solved.” He said
Short of accusing the present administration in Nigeria of fake promises, Obi said “Time of fake promises have gone in this country. Anything you promise you must deliver.
“We are committed to building a better and new Nigeria where we move Nigeria from consumption to production,” he said
Also present at the event was former President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Olumide Akpata and National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure.
Addressing the teeming party members who trooped out for the event, Obi described the local government area system as “where development, particularly of the grassroots is domiciled.
“Local government is the nearest to the people and it is supposed to be the root for ensuring development for the people.
“The three most critical areas of development are health, education and poverty eradication and they are responsibilities of the local government.
“So, for the system to work, for a country to develop well, it is the local government as everything that has to do with development is domiciled in the local government.
“That is why it is critical to our development and sustainability. As a governor, I was prevented by litigations from conducting local government election for over six years.
“So, we are here today to support our candidates in the forthcoming local government election in Edo . We will support them with everything,” he said.
Obi, however, tasked voters in the state to vote en mass for candidates of the party in the election, assuring them that in doing so, their future would be protected.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure, commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki for putting modalities in place for the conduct of the election but warned, however, that the election must be free and fair.
“We have the best candidates that can man the local government system in Nigeria, hence, the need for the people to vote for all our candidates in the coming local government election,” Abure said.