From Sola Ojo, Abuja
A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) and Coordinator of the Obedient Movement in Kaduna State, Elder Yusuf Danbaki, has responded sharply to the defection of Senator Neda Imasuen from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as unsurprising and typical of political opportunists chasing personal gain rather than public interest.
Danbaki, who stated this while responding to the senator’s defection, told Daily Sun that the development reflected a disturbing trend among politicians looking for protection or political cover under the guise of intra-party crisis.
“This defection is hardly surprising. In recent times, we’ve observed a pattern; those fleeing accountability for corruption or desperately chasing political crumbs have made it a habit to cite ‘crisis in the Labour Party’ as justification.
“But let us ask: is there no crisis in the APC? A party riddled with internal wrangling, broken promises, and a glaring absence of ideological direction?” he queried.
According to Danbaki, the Labour Party remained committed to its strategic vision, regardless of distractions posed by defectors or the antics of what he termed “political noise makers.”
“We are not distracted. We are organising congresses, strengthening our structures, and preparing to rescue Nigeria from the abysmal governance of the APC come 2027.
“While some are jumping ship for crumbs or protection from investigation, we are building a movement rooted in competence, justice, and the real needs of Nigerians,” he stated.
He also used the opportunity to refocus national attention on what he called the monumental failures of the APC administration.
“When the time comes, Nigerians will not judge us by the number of defectors but by the realities they face daily, including rampant insecurity, mass unemployment, hyperinflation, crumbling infrastructure, and the deepening poverty across the country.
“The APC has failed on all fronts, and no amount of defections can whitewash that truth,” Danbaki declared.
He affirmed the readiness of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, to “lead the charge” in shifting the national conversation to issues that truly matter.
“Our principal, Mr Peter Obi, is not focused on political theatrics. He is focused on redirecting attention to the suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
“Banditry, hunger, joblessness, these are the real issues, not the ambitions of a few politicians,” Danbaki said.
“Defections will not put food on the table. They will not end kidnapping or revive the economy. That is why the Labour Party is undeterred.
“We are quietly but firmly working towards 2027. The silence of the Labour Party today will soon be broken by the roar of a people’s revolution for a better Nigeria,” he added.