2023: Obi, Labour part Trouble in the Backyard.

Ibekimi Oriamaja Report

AHEAD OF THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate and former Anambra State governor, appears to be in trouble in his own backyard.

Sentry has learned that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) leadership and members have resolved to work against his ambition. The candidate and his supporters were confident of gaining the support of APGA, a party with a sizable following in the Southeast, particularly in Obi’s home state of Anambra.

His camp recently erupted in wild jubilation following reports that Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo had endorsed the LP presidential candidate’s candidacy. The story broke following a meeting in the state between the governor and APGA members.

According to rumors, Soludo ordered the party faithful to work for Obi. However, his Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, quickly denied the reports, claiming that Obi was never a topic of discussion during the routine gathering, and that only APGA-related issues were discussed.

Sentry learned that the denial was necessary due to widespread dissatisfaction with the story expressed by some APGA leaders. “Many of them were displeased at the prospect of having to work for Obi, a man many of them claimed worked hard to destroy the party after riding on its crest for eight years as governor.” He fought the governor he imposed on us, fought the party, worked hard to destroy the party, and then unceremoniously dumped APGA for the PDP,” an APGA chieftain said.

Such an attitude among APGA chieftains in Anambra spells trouble for the LP candidate.

Chinedu Obigwe, the National Coordinator of the APGA Media Warriors Forum, confirmed the looming trouble for Obi earlier this week when he revealed that the party will work against Obi primarily because of APGA candidates.

“We have candidates for a variety of positions, and LP has candidates as well.” It is in the best interests of APGA supporters to oppose Obi and support APGA candidates. The APGA remains committed to supporting all of its candidates in the elections. As it stands, anyone expecting APGA to work in favor of the former Anambra State governor is “dwelling in self-deception and living in fool’s paradise,” he said.

“I hate being sentimental on important issues and like saying the raw truth without caring whose ox is gored,” Obigwe said, defending why working against Obi was in the best interests of APGA. Because he is now a political enemy, our self-proclaimed Saint Peter Obi as the Labour Party presidential candidate has nothing in common with APGA as a party or APGA faithful.”

If the positions advanced by the APGA chieftain and others are any indication, Obi and his party will have a difficult time at home in Anambra.