2023: LP Chieftain Tasks Buhari on Neutrality, Promotion of Free, Fair Elections

By Paschal Emeka, Abuja

The Head of Intervention, Peter Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign Organization, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna, has appealed to President Muhammedu Buhari not to renege on his earlier promise to ensure free, fair, and credible 2023 general elections.

He also urged President Buhari to leave a lasting legacy by providing a level playing ground to all political parties before, during, and after next month’s general elections.

The Labour Party chieftain made the call during an interview with our Correspondent in Abuja over the weekend.

Dr. Okwenna, who is also the Director-General, of Save Democracy Africa, SDA, a Non- Governmental Organization which promotes democracy in Africa, on the other hand, urged Nigerians to support his party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, he said, has the capacity to pilot the affairs of the country, beyond people’s expectations.

The former University Don further called for improvement of the ongoing campaigns by political parties across the country alleging that some state governors from PDP and APC are frustrating the campaign trains of other parties in the states they control.

He decried a situation where some state governors are stopping other parties from raising campaign billboards and pasting posters of candidates from other parties in contravention of the Peace Pact signed by all the parties before the commencement of the current campaigns.

According to him, “different scenarios have been reported where the two main political parties have denied members of other political parties the right to use stadiums to carry out their campaign though they have paid for such places”.

Dr. Okwenna noted that Peter Obi’s Movement is an organic movement where patriotic Nigerian youths are making all the necessary sacrifices to ensure that a new dawn will emerge from May 29, 2023.

Reacting to a question on whether insecurity can affect the forthcoming elections, he expressed concern over the spate of insecurity and call on the federal government to make sure adequate security arrangement is in place to enable Nigerians of voting age to feel secure while carrying out their civic obligations.

He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to ensure technology deployed for the conduct of the February/March election is in good shape, and devoid of human manipulation.

He pointed out that most Nigerian Youths have come to identify with the Labour Party presidential candidate because of his transparent and administrative prowess which has begun to affect the exchange rate positively.

Speaking about the Labour Party Manifestoes, Dr. Okwenna said it captured virtually all segments of the country including how and how not to tackle unemployment, women’s emancipation as well as turning Nigeria from the current consuming nation to a production or manufacturing nation.

He explained that Peter Obi was able to govern Anambra State for eight years without borrowing a dime to run the affairs of the state as well as revived moribund companies owned by the government. He added that if given the chance to lead the country, he would turn the country around positively

He pointed out that Obi/Datti’s presidency won’t be to share the country’s meager resources but rather to raise and build a vibrant country and economy that every Nigerian now and in posterity shall be proud of.

He equally advised the INEC which is the electoral umpire to conduct free and credible elections in order to justify the confidence Nigerians reposed in them.

He repeatedly recalled President Buhari’s statements that he will leave a legacy of credible election for Nigerians, stressing that anything contrary might erode the President’s hard-earned reputation,

Dr. Okwenna urged all to cast their votes for those with credibility observing that next Month’s general elections will determine not just Nigeria’s future and present but that of posterity.