The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-political organization, has weighed in on the reported merger between Labour Party, LP, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.
There are reports that NNPP and LP are working towards a merger ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Reacting to the claims, Ohanaeze’s Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, warned LP’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against accepting position of vice president.
Isiguzoro added that Obi would lose his popularity and widespread acceptance if he accepted any arrangement that would make him a running mate of NNPP’s Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Isiguzoro said the widely reported anticipated merger between NNPP and LP, would strengthen the chances of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso winning the presidential election in 2023.
A statement by Isiguzoro reads partly: “The merging arrangements between the Labour Party and New Nigeria People’s Party will strengthen the chances of Obi/ Kwankwaso occupying Aso Rock.
“The headache for the Labour Party is never to accept the Vice Presidential position for Obi, any arrangements that would see Obi as a running mate to Kwankwaso will end up the popularity of the Labour Party.
“Mr. Peter Obi is the New Nigeria’s candidate, and Kwakwaso is a regional champion who should serve as the running mate”.