A Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Babatunde Gbadamosi, has declared support for the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.
Gbadamosi, a former governorship candidate of the African Democratic Party and former Lagos East Senatorial Candidate of the PDP, announced his defection to the Labour Party, in a statement in Lagos on Friday.
He said that the exit of Obi from the PDP and his subsequent emergence as the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, as well as his brilliant choice of Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, rekindled hope in him and many Nigerians.
According to him, “I came to recognise that the problems of PDP run quite deep, and their tepid opposition to the inept, incompetent, corrupt and reckless APC government is in fact by the design of some unscrupulous individuals populating the party leadership from top to bottom.
“I had completely lost hope in Nigeria, especially in the youths, considering how the senatorial bye-elections went after the traumatic events of #EndSARS and the #LekkiTollGateMassacre of 20-10-20.
“However, the exit of Mr Peter Obi from the PDP and his subsequent emergence as the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, as well as his brilliant choice of Mallam Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed have rekindled that hope.
“I am 54 years old, and never in my life have I been privileged to witness the kind of energy, vim, vigor, unity and tenacity of purpose being exhibited by youths of all ethnicities and religious backgrounds in Nigeria over a political candidate as they’ve been doing for sometime now over the #ObiDatti2023 team.
“Almost all youths who are not professional politicians or influencers-for-hire (many are) are, as is now the popular parlance, Obi-dient and Yus-ful – a creative play on the names of the Labour Party Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates.
“There is extremely good reason for this frenzy, as Mr Peter Obi had over the years, shown himself to be a creative, prudent and frugal administrator as well as a trustworthy custodian of public funds. His VP pick, the urbane Dr. Datti Baba-Ahmed, is an equally prudent, practical and PRINCIPLED politician, whose acquaintance I had the pleasure of making a few years back.
“These two share a passion for education and knowledge, with Obi’s documented exploits in the education sector as Governor of Anambra State, and Baba-Ahmed’s direct investment in education as Pro-Chancellor of the highly respected Baze University, Abuja. Both share a disdain for graft and believe in exterminating contract padding – the bane of Nigeria.
“I find myself left with no choice when faced with the alternatives, but to publicly throw in my lot with these two fine gentlemen, especially considering that another good Uncle of mine, Dr Doyin Okupe is one of the navigators of their journey and had invited me very much earlier.
“I hereby publicly declare my resignation from the PDP and wish all the remaining members well. By the same token, I also hereby publicly declare my support for the Labour Party and its Presidential Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
“To all my friends and comrades in the PDP who want the best for Lagos State and Nigeria,, I say this: By the Special Grace of God, we will meet again, because the word of God in the book of Isaiah Chapter 1 verse 19 says
“If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;”
“Do join us in the Labour Party quickly. Time waits for no one.”
