From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, has explained why he could not conduct Local Government (LG) elections in his eight years administration as Governor of Anambra State.
Obi who was in Edo State, on Monday, to address and interact with Labour Party members and supporters in the State, also flag off campaign for the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
He told Labour Party supporters in the State that there were several litigations regarding the administration of local government in the which made it difficult for him to conduct elections that would have produced a democratically elected local government chairmen in the state during his time as governor of Anambra State.
In a message he posted on his verified X (Twitter) account, Obi said, “as then Governor of Anambra State, I could not conduct local government elections, until my last year in office, and that was because of the many litigations that came our way which prevented me from doing so.
“However, I ensured that all the funds meant for the development of the State at the local government level, were properly utilized especially in providing primary health care, basic education, and poverty alleviation programmes for the people of the state. I encourage you all to go and verify this claim.”
He reminded labour party candidates in the coming elections that, in the context of the brand of leadership a New Nigeria needs, they must remain competent, capable and have the much needed integrity to deliver accountable governance to the people.
He told them that Nigerians are tired of presumed leaders with questionable or non-existing credentials, hence Labour Party candidates must be exemplary in this regard.
“In building the New Nigeria, we would focus on improving the three indices of human development; health, education, pulling people out of poverty. These we would achieve at the grassroots/local government level by investing in primary healthcare, basic education and support for small businesses.
“By so doing, we would achieve an integrated development across the nation, through responsible governance at the local government level.”
He appreciated the labour party supporters in the state and the “Obidient” family for the warm hospitality accorded to him and the Labour Party National Chairman, Barr Julius Abure, in Benin City, during the rally.
“I am also gratified by the opportunity to interact with our candidates, especially the youths and the people dedicated to a New Nigeria ahead of the local government elections slated for September in the State,” he said.