By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
The Labour Party (LP) on Wednesday unveiled the list of its 2023 Presidential Campaign Organisation (PCO) with Alhaji Mohammed Zarewa, a retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) as the Chairman even as the Director General, Dr. Doyin Okupe has revealed that about 15 million Nigerian youths will cast their votes for the party.
Okupe who spoke on Wednesday at the inauguration of Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation held at Chelsea Hotels, Abuja, said that over 60% of registered voters in the country at the moment are youth
.
He also argued that 80% of new voters in the country are members of the Obidient Movement which he said has taken the life of its own, pointing out that “the old guards do not understand that 34 million Nigerians are on internet”.
According to Okupe, LP already
has a minimum of 15 million votes before going into the 2023 general election, adding that anyone who is still saying that the Obidient Movement is only on the social media should think twice.
Reading from a prepared speech, the former Presidential Spokesman under President Goodluck Jonathan, said: “Let me start by registering my profound gratitude to all Nigerians who have enthusiastically embraced our message, and our Presidential candidate, and in particular to the millions who identify with the OBIdient Movement nationwide , organising selflessly and relentlessly pursuing their hope in a New Nigeria”.
“When on 30th May 2022, Mr Peter Obi was entrusted by the membership of our great Labour Party as its Presidential Candidate for the 2023 elections , after the PDP had failed in courage to live up to the due process, he was always clear, in thought and conviction, of his calling and capability to seek and win the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
“This aspiration and conviction was farther reinforced by his choice Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed an astute educator, businessman, Former legislator and new breed politician, on the 8th July 2022 as his Vice Presidential Candidate , to very loud acclaim”.
“However, in the dramatic sequence of these events , our candidate’s entry into this political race has resulted in an explosion of excitement across the vastness of Nigeria, in the diaspora, and indeed the global community”,
“This has been lovingly and organically expressed in his overwhelming acceptance by the people of Nigeria, through the robust and endearing presentation of his record, personality, vision, policies and promise”.
“There is no doubt that this ascendancy of our Presidential Ticket, to prime position in the hearts and minds of the Nigerian people, has been fuelled by the patriotic zeal, vibrancy , creativity and shining example, in discipline, character and decency of the Obidient Movement, which has today rapidly evolved into the biggest voluntary political movement in Nigeria history”.
Speaking further Okupe said In just about four months, this organic and massively structured movement, consisting of Nigerians from all walks of life , from varying backgrounds and circumstances of life, from the young and not so young, from professions, vocations and occupations of all variations, and from every region, nook and corner of the country, have set a record in political mobilisation , organisation and loyalty , not experienced in recent Nigerian History .
He however said that: “Unknown to many, a significant number of the youth and drivers of this movement, are active members and supporters of the other political parties such as the APC and PDP, who could not ignore the overbearing superiority in leadership quality , personal disposition , national appeal, private and public service record, and the clear cut expression of vision and governance solutions, which Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed have come to represent, for all true lovers of progress and national rebirth”.
“So, it is significant to observe and also to underline, that the Obidient Movement, has today risen above religion, ethnicity , political affiliation and all narrow sentiment, to become a truly national movement of Nigerians, prepared for full participation , in this universal mission of national reconstruction”.
