From Balogun Ayobami, Lagos
Former National Secretary of Labour Party and a constitutional lawyer, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, has criticised the manner in which the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, is going about his presidential campaign.
He said Obi’s manifesto is more of rhetorical analysis than viable plans to solving the myriad of problems facing the country at this critical time.
The rights activist, who said Obi is yet to study Labour Party’s manifesto, spoke in reaction to political developments in the country.
“I have listened to Peter Obi at different times since he began his campaigns and I can say that he has not been able to convince discerning Nigerians of his readiness for the job for which he campaigns. All he has been saying are what should be done which, is not alien to every Nigerian (after all, even the street hawker knows the problem with Nigeria) but has failed to advance any plan about his solutions to resolving those issues in concrete terms and how he intends to do them. Obi merely complains which he and his uncritical followers mistake for a manifesto,” Ajulo said.
He further opined that Obi needs to put together a convincing and achievable manifesto rather than making unrealistic references to nations whose diverse beliefs and cultures are totally at variance with Nigeria.
The lawyer also said that Mr. Obi’s choice of a running mate may be another albatross on his ambition.
He said Mr. Obi should have allowed inputs from those who are critical to the prevailing situation of the country to influence his choice of a Vice President.
Ajulo said “Peter Obi’s running mate, Senator Batti Baba Ahmed is an intelligent and a good man, certainly qualified for the job of even the President but the present situation of the country is not only about looking good on one’s certificates or even in the bank. The challenge that has bred economic hardship in Nigeria even in the midst of our plenty should have been a major point of concern before picking his running mate. To me, that challenge is the state of insecurity in the country which has risen exponentially in the last decade. I honestly believe that that should be the first thing to consider because nothing can properly work amidst insecurity.”
Ajulo also frowned at the strategy deployed by Mr. Obi’s supporters in marketing his ambition to the Nigerian people. He said his years of experience in politics have taught him that mob actions do not translate to genuine support.
“I have been involved in three major elections as a stakeholder in advisory positions at the federal level. I have also gathered enviable experiences as an activist and as a lawyer who has defended election related issues. I know that mob action and evoking raw emotions without pragmatic approach are never veritable strategies to sell a candidate to the electorates,” he said.
He said he wonders who the leading strategist of Peter Obi campaign is, saying Obi’s supporters, especially the online ones, are always in brawls with an individual or groups. Ajulo said “bullying fellow contestants or possible voters is not and cannot be a part of political campaign strategies that can win votes”
Ajulo noted that Mr Obi has not taken his time to study the manifesto of the Labour Party to be able to draw an efficient campaign strategy.
He said “Let me advice Peter Obi as a former National Secretary of the Labour Party. He needs to study the manifestos of the Labour Party to be able to design a well thought out plan. He should take a cue from the former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who defeated an already established structure of the then incumbent People’s Democratic Party in a keenly contested governorship election within three months of joining the Labour Party”.
The former LP scribe said his reaction is informed by his love for the sustainable development of the country and wants to assist the electorate to make the best decision in the overall interest of the country.
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