The African Democratic Congress, (ADC), has endorsed the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, for the Saturday, February 25th elections.
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dr Mani Ibrahim called on Nigerians to go out en masse to vote for Obi and his running mate on Saturday at the announcement of the alliance in Abuja on Monday.
In attendance at the event in Abuja are ADC National Chairman, chief Ralph Nwosu, BoT Chairman, and a chieftain of the Labour Party, ADC governorship candidate for Abia State, Sunday Onuoha Professor Pat Utomi of the LP and others
However, the ADC BoT Chairman called for support for the party’s candidates for Governorship, Senatorial, House of Representatives and States Assembly positions where they are dominant for the alliance to be effective.
He said that after a thorough assessment of the 17 Presidential Candidates in the 2023 election, the party resolved after consultations with its grand patron and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, that Obi was the best candidate to support.
He said that the sole purpose of the ‘Star Alliance’ was to ensure emphatic victory victory for Obi in the election.
The partners in the Star Alliance Nigeria are: Nigeria Mothers for Good Governance, Fulani United, Nigeria Artisans, League of Imams, Nigeria Traders, Yoruba United, Mega Political Coalition, Kanuris United, Nigeria Professional Group, DG Global Groups, Almalgamated Coalitions, Groups and Nigeria Legions United.
He said, “After our due diligence and critical assessment of the 17 Presidential Candidates and what they have to offer Nigerians, and after consulting our Grand Patron and former President, General Olusegun Obasanjo, we decided as a party that the Obi-Datti Movement is a worthy cause to endorse. Today, we form this Star Alliance for one purpose only: to ensure a loud victory.
“This Star Alliance is significant, because we must decide to shape the space mindfully going forward or believe me, this country is doomed. A whole generation of 20/30 years has passed since, after the annulled June 12th election of 1993.
“This democracy was as a result of the combined efforts and sacrifices of many: civil society leaders, concerned professionals, labour, PRONACO and NADECO, Nigeria’s International friends, and many other individuals and patriots.
“Today, Nigeria has become more divided than ever before. Leaders at National and State levels have learnt the art of designing and borrowing framework to source for money across the world to no end, while they leave the country and future generation in perpetual debts. For over two years now, Nigeria has maintained the shameful record of the poverty capital of the world.
“The insurgency and brigandage at all level across the country is mind bugling. Boko haram, banditry, kidnapping and dangerous activities of herders who have infiltrated the country from all over Africa continues to leave the country in a state of depression, despair and death. Despite the huge borrowing, the infrastructural deficit in Nigeria today is beyond redemption.
“Apart from the recent CBN’s policy that has taken people back into serious poverty, fuel hike and other National issues are worrisome. If anything untoward happens to our democracy, the National Assembly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Political Parties will be the most hit as have happened in our not too distant history. We must therefore be wary.
“However, while we will do everything within our power and position to ask party members and supporters to vote for Peter Obi and Datti Baba-Amed for President and Vice President,
“This will enable the two parties to have good numbers of Legislators to back Obi-Datti’s Presidency. As we stand, we are aware of quite a number of our Candidates who have personally endorsed the Obi-Datti Movement.
“In the same vein, our position, advocacy and projections are firmly based on a government of national unity, collegiate and translational leadership which we believe this alliance will highly benefit from. As we look forward to a victorious election come Saturday, 25th of February 2023, we encourage every Nigerian to go out massively to vote Obi-Datti for President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
With reports from the Guardian
