Obi benefited from non secular, tribal sentiments in 2023 — Kogi Rep

A member of the Home of Representatives, Leke Abejide, has mentioned that the efficiency of the previous Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, within the 2023 presidential election was largely influenced by non secular and tribal sentiments.

He mentioned Obi’s efficiency was influenced significantly amongst Northern Christians who feared that their freedom of worship may be threatened below a Bola Tinubu presidency.

The lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State said this throughout an interview on Channels Tv’s Politics At present on Friday.

Abejide, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, made the remarks following Obi’s defection to the occasion on Wednesday in Enugu State.

“Individuals, particularly the Northern Christians, believed that they’d be in hassle if Asiwaju got here in as president. They believed they’d not have room to train their religion, but it surely’s not like that at present,” he mentioned.

He cautioned opposition events in opposition to making an attempt to copy the 2023 electoral dynamics, saying the political setting has modified since Tinubu assumed workplace.

“The best way the president dealt with the entire thing, they know he’s not a spiritual bigot, and he doesn’t consider in extremism of any faith, whether or not Christian or Muslim,” he added.

The lawmaker additionally criticised opposition politicians over registration practices, pointing particularly to Obi’s ADC registration in Enugu State relatively than his house base in Anambra.

“He’s alleged to go to his ward and register from his ward. Then it may be recognised. For those who go to the zonal workplace and also you register as a politician, this sort of politics is a brand new system to me,” he mentioned.

On speculations that opposition alliances might unseat the APC in 2027 by merging their 2023 vote totals, Abejide dismissed the thought as unrealistic.

“If anyone is capitalising on what occurred in 2023 and calculating that in the event that they put Atiku’s vote and put Obi’s votes, they’re going to beat APC, it’s identical to the particular person is constructing castles within the air,” he said.

He additional famous that the ADC itself is at the moment coping with inner management disputes.

“The management of ADC at present is in disaster, and till the court docket decides, no one can say that is going to defeat the APC,” he mentioned.

Regardless of his criticisms, Abejide mentioned the occasion stays open to new entrants, however urged that they observe correct procedures.

“They’re welcome, and we’ll see what the result goes to be, however if you wish to be part of, be part of correctly,” he added.