The running mate of the Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 election, Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, has reiterated that neither he nor the Labour Party (LP) are surprised by the current economic crisis in Nigeria.
According to Datti, they had warned the public against allowing the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take power in 2023.
Datti made this statement during the inaugural meeting of the LP Interim National Caretaker Committee in Abuja on Wednesday.
Baba-Ahmed, who represented Peter Obi at the event, expressed that the Labour Party is prepared to achieve even greater success in the 2027 elections by securing a majority in the National Assembly and winning the presidential seat.
He said, “We didn’t face a crisis. We managed a transition that was somewhat bumpy, and that was it. I tell you, no other political party of our size could have done what we did in the time and manner we did it.”
“We are a political party that went all the way to the Supreme Court claiming our 10 million votes. They were only able to acknowledge 6 million votes. So we are a force to be reckoned with in Africa. What we’ve achieved has never been done before. When the PDP came into power, they had the military. We had nothing.”
“Our start was organic; it was us, it was the Nigerian people, it was the Obedients. We defeated two existing political parties to the best of our ability through the courts.”
“Furthermore, we are reinforced by the fact that what we warned Nigerians about—regarding the failure and dangers of the APC—is unfolding. They are failing increasingly in managing the Nigerian economy.”
“They are undermining Nigeria’s security. Every day, the news reports that our citizens are being abducted and killed in large numbers in villages. We warned Nigerians that this would happen. Desperate individuals took Labour Party’s victory; what did they do with it?”
“Our currency’s value has again deteriorated. Security is compromised. Hunger prevails. The removal of fuel subsidies has been handled very poorly, aggravating corruption, and lies continue.”
The former Federal lawmaker also addressed the leadership conflict within the party, emphasizing that no governor removed Julius Abure. Instead, it was the party's constitution that resulted in his removal due to the expiration of his tenure.
He called for Abure and his team to set aside their differences and collaborate with the Caretaker Committee to rebuild the party.
“Listen, my friend, no governor unseated Abure; the constitution did. Abure’s time elapsed. As of today, Abure remains our good friend and a loyal member.”
“We want him back in the fold, and we have roles for him to play. Likewise, all members of the former NEC and NWC are welcome to join us and continue to build the Labour Party. They are welcome.”