The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has responded to criticisms of the National Leader of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi for supporting the LP candidate in this Saturday, September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Barr. Olumide Akpata, saying Obi’s support for Akpata, the flag-bearer of the Labour Party is anchored purely on democratic principles and there is nothing hypocritical about that.
There are indications that Obi’s entry into the Edo political fray to campaign for Akpata has effectively changed the narrative in the state and this is leading opponents to the mischief of trying to divert attention from, instead of focusing on, the real issues driving the election which, among others, is suitability for the job.
Critics anchored their criticism on Obi supporting Bar Akpata whose zone is not supposed to produce the next governor, claiming that Obi is going against his long-standing principles on power rotation.
“But what they failed to understand is that Obi’s stand on zoning remains, but the Labour Party in Edo, even under the leadership of an Edo State indigene then, did not zone their gubernatorial seat to any area in particular, and delegates that elected Akpata were strictly only Edo people from all the local government areas, including Edo central, because they found him suited for their desires for the State,” POMR said in a statement signed by its spokesman, Ibrahim Umar.
“Obi does not trade competence and reputation for zoning, and as a democrat, he will always respect the position of the majority, especially if it’s anchored on the track record of the candidate.
“Akpata, by his age and antecedents, appeals to the youths as having the energy and mentality for the job.
“In all his campaigns in Edo, in his characteristic manner, Obi did not indulge in name-calling but concentrated his messages on issues that are needed to take Edo State and Nigeria forward, and found the LP candidate a square peg in a square hole.
“The Labour Party delegates in Edo State found Bar Akpata their best option for the contest, and Obi, as a true democrat in his usual way of non-interference, decided to support their choice respecting the peculiarities of every state.”
“POMR knows that the needless attack on Obi was just to divert attention from the issue that is driving the Edo State gubernatorial election, which places the Labour Party flag bearer in a good position to win the ballot.
“Our advice for those bitter that Obi is campaigning for his party flag-bearer is to leave the people of the State to decide who their next governor will be, not to focus attention on mundane things.
“Our principal’s wish, as always, is to urge all critical stakeholders involved in the conduct of Saturday’s election, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and security operatives, to ensure a level playing ground in such a way that the world will see that Edo voters and not any other variables prevail in the end.”
