By Chukwuemeka Umesi
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Dr. Doyin Okupe, the Director-General of the Labour Party’s presidential campaign, has made a shocking revelation that Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, betrayed Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate.
Okupe stated that Obi’s presidential ambition led him to contest against Atiku, who brought him into national politics.
No Betrayal
Okupe denied betraying Obi, saying he withdrew his support due to a loss of interest in working with him.
He emphasized that his political destiny cannot be tied to Obi’s ambition. “I started politics in 1978, Obi was nowhere else. My life and political destiny cannot be tied to Obi’s ambition. I wish Obi well, but I am done with him,” Okupe said.
Obi’s Interest
Okupe noted that Obi’s interest in the 2023 presidency led him to contest against Atiku, his former master.
He questioned the fairness of Obi’s actions, considering Atiku’s role in bringing him into national politics. “Obi was the vice-presidential candidate of Atiku Abubakar in 2019. He brought him to the national limelight.
Because of his own ambition, which was correct and due, Obi left the party and contested against Atiku. If people said I betrayed Obi, what did Obi do to Atiku? It is not fair,” Okupe said.
Afenifere’s Influence
Okupe revealed that Pa Ayo Adebanjo, a leader of the Afenifere group, persuaded him to support Obi.
Adebanjo objected to a northerner succeeding President Muhammadu Buhari, advocating for a southern president in 2023. “Baba Adebanjo called me and said he heard that I wanted to contest for the presidential election, and I said yes. Baba said I was a troublemaker.
I told Baba that he didn’t know what was happening in our party,” Okupe said.
Support for Obi
Okupe explained that the decision to support Obi was based on fairness and the desire for a southern president. He stated that the South-East had not produced a president, making Obi a suitable candidate.
“We reviewed the presidential candidates from that region and we concluded on supporting Obi. That was what happened,” Okupe said.
Campaign Challenges
Okupe acknowledged that the Labour Party was inadequately structured to cover a national election, leading to Obi’s loss.
Despite a fantastic campaign and mobilization, the party’s flaws and shortcomings hindered its success. “We ran a fantastic campaign; we did a lot of mobilization, but we had our flaws and shortcomings.
The party was grossly and inadequately arranged to cover a national election. We didn’t have what it took. The structure that covered the entire country wasn’t there,” Okupe said.
Reaction
The Chairman of the Labour Party in Osun State, Bello Adebayo, responded that Obi did not betray Atiku, as he did not contest the PDP presidential ticket with him.
“Obi didn’t betray anybody; it is not correct to say he betrayed Atiku because he didn’t contest the PDP presidential ticket with him in PDP,” Adebayo said.