-O. Adejo
The talks to ally the presidential candidates of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) and the Labour Party (LP) appear to have come to a halt with no positive outcomes.
Doyin Okupe, a Labour Party leader, confirmed this on Channels Television Politics Today.
According to Okupe, the Labour Party and its presidential candidate withdrew from the talks a few weeks ago, but the NNPP continued to use the media to portray the talks as ongoing.
He believes this was done to capitalize on Peter Obi’s traction and popularity. Okupe said, Out of maturity, he chose not to challenge them in the media.
With this new development, it is clear that both Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso are fully committed to running for the presidency in 2023.
Some political analysts and members of the public had earlier urged the two candidates to ally, believing that forming a formidable third force is the best way to break the grip of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) (PDP).
Okupe went on to say that the talks broke down because Kwankwaso refused to be Obi’s running mate in the next election.
He said, “The moment I asked them one single question: would they consider it appropriate and okay for a president of northern extraction and Muslim to finish eight years and another Muslim northerner from the next state to take over?”
They stated that there was nothing wrong with it. He knew then that the talks were over.
Okupe, on the other hand, hinted that Peter Obi will reveal his running mate to the public in the coming days.
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