Coalition Between LP, NNPP, Dead – Okupe
The planned coalition between the Labour Party and the New Nigerian People’s Party for the 2023 general election has been declared “dead,” according to Dr Doyin Okupe, Director-General of the Obi Presidential Campaign Organization.
He stated this during his appearance on Channels Television Politics Today on Tuesday night. The proposal, according to Okupe, who serves as Peter Obi’s de facto running partner for the LP presidential nomination and former governor of Anambra State, has been dead for almost four weeks.
The LP had intended to form a coalition with the NNPP, with Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the latter party’s presidential candidate, running on the same platform as Obi.
When the LP side questioned the possibility of another Muslim from the North, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), succeeding the President, the dialogue, according to Okupe, came to a standstill.
On the reported consideration of Senator Ditti Baba-Ahmed as the vice-presidential candidate of the LP, Okupe said, “He is being considered, others are being considered. These things will be decided this week. He is being considered along with other people whom we have engaged, and we have talked with.
“The emphasis here is this, we are looking for a young, vibrant politician of northern extraction with a measure of intellect, sound background, pedigree and education. That is what we are looking at.”
Okupe questioned how seniority is determined in politics regarding the alliance between the LP and NNPP, with Kwankwaso being rated as senior to Obi to be the presidential and vice-presidential candidates, respectively.
Okupe also took a swipe at Kwankwaso for claiming that the northern electorate would not vote for a presidential candidate from the South-East.
