●LP lacks basis to claim top spot’
THE Leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) yesterday disagreed over which is the main opposition platform.
Presidential candidate of the LP in last year’s general election, Mr. Peter Obi drew the ire of the PDP with his claim in his New Year message in which he rates the LP ahead of it.
The former governor of Anambra State said the party will continue to adjust to its new role as the main opposition party.
But, objecting to LP’s claim to a superior opposition status, PDP leaders said LP was day dreaming and evading reality.
While PDP National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Kamoru Ajisafe berated the LP for a shortfall in objectivity, its former governorship candidate in Ondo State, Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) said LP’s claim lacked substance.
Former PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi said LP’s claim was absurd and laughable.
According to the results of the presidential, governorship and parliamentary elections announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), LP came third. It trailed the PDP which was defeated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obi and the LP, despite coming third, challenged the result declared by INEC before the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC), claiming that it won. It took the matter to the Supreme Court, but lost at both levels.
In his statement, Obi said the nation must work assiduously to avoid drifting to a one-party state.
He said: “We in Labour Party have undertaken in the national interest and in our undying commitment to a new Nigeria that is possible, to remain firmly in opposition and as such, must remain focused going forward.
“Our collective role in nation building remains fundamental and obligatory.
Reflecting on the outcome of the elections, he said it is on record that it was contested in the court, which made the final pronouncement.
Obi added: “I wish to thank members of the Labour Party, the Obidient Family, friends and well-wishers of Nigeria for their loyalty, resilience, tenacity and commitment to true democracy.
“We will continue ongoing discussions and efforts for the Labour Party to adjust to our new role as Nigeria’s main opposition party.
“We will continue to constructively engage all Nigerians and our friends, who have now realised the vast implications of the road not taken; and the folly of national interest decisions predicated on sentiments and primordial interests.”
Taking exception to Obi’s claim to number one position for LP in the opposition, Ajisafe said the claim lacked basis.
He said: “I don’t know what basis they will claim to be the main opposition party when PDP has more spread than Labour Party in terms of governors, senators, House of Representatives members. What basis?
“Labour Party has not even been criticising the government as a group or as a party, except what Obi and his running mate are doing individually.”
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The Southwest PDP leader said the LP claim lacked justification at a time the party is seriously battling with intra-party crisis arising from disputation over its national chairmanship.
Ajisafe stressed: “The activities of the PDP are not hidden. You can see the activities of our party and individuals in PDP. They are playing their opposition roles well. By March, it will become clearer.
“There is a limit to how you can manipulate the system. Labour Party does not have the strength to claim the number one position in the opposition. Where is their evidence?
“Labour Party does not enjoy the same spread that PDP enjoys. Labour Party is having leadership problem. Who is their national chairman? It is a contentious issue. There is no division in the PDP. But Labour Party is in court with its national leadership.”
Jegede, who is a top stalwart from Ondo State, said Obi’s claim amounted to wishful thinking.
He said: “You said they are claiming to be the main opposition party. Anybody can claim. Everybody knows who is the main opposition party. It is us the PDP and not the Labour Party.”
Odeyemi chided Obi for regression into absurdity, saying that he made a false claim.
He said: “It is very absurd for the Labour Party that is just finding its way on the political scene to call itself the main opposition party in Nigeria. It is even laughable for Labour Party, which hardly controls a state, unlike the PDP which has many senators, House of Representatives members and governors, to call itself the main opposition party.”
Odeyemi added: “PDP is the main opposition party. Labour Party should stop being radical unnecessarily and give support to the main opposition party instead of laying claim.”
