2023 Presidency: How Tinubu Asked Pat Utomi to Step Down for Peter Obi, Labour Party Gov Candidate Opens Up
- Tawfiq Akinwale, the Labour Party's governorship candidate in Oyo state, claimed that President-elect Bola Tinubu asked Professor Pat Utomi to step down for Peter Obi before the 2023 general elections
- Akinwale made the allegation during a radio programme, stating that Utomi had already secured the LP's ticket
- Akinwale also alleged that Tinubu funded Obi's campaign, but it gained more popularity and posed a greater threat than Tinubu had expected
Ibadan, Oyo state - Tawfiq Akinwale, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Oyo state, has alleged that President-elect Bola Tinubu asked Professor Pat Utomi to step down for Peter Obi in the buildup to the 2023 general elections.
Akinwale, who spoke in the Yoruba language, made the allegation while appearing as a guest on a radio programme on 101.7 YES FM, Ibadan.
Source: Getty Images
Asked how Peter Obi and his Obidient supporters got into Labour Party, the former governorship candidate said Utomi had already secured the LP's ticket.
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2023 presidency: How Tinubu used Peter Obi to reduce Atiku's chances - Akinwale
In the buildup to the 2023 elections, Obi who had purchased the nomination form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suddenly announced his exit from the party.
The former governor of Anambra state said he resigned from the PDP "because of issues that are at variance with" his "persona and principles".
He later joined the LP, saying the party "is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family."
However, Akinwale said Tinubu, whom he described as a master political strategist, swiftly urged Utomi, who had reportedly secured the LP's presidential ticket, to step down for Obi.
The LP chieftain said the president-elect saw in Obi's presidential bid, a good chance to reduce the winning chances of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.
How Tinubu allegedly funded Peter Obi's campaign
Speaking further, Akinwale alleged that Obi received campaign funds from Utomi, whom he described as Tinubu's "son".
The LP chieftain alleged that it was Tinubu who provided the funds that Utomi gave the LP presidential candidate.
Akinwale, however, noted that Obi's presidential campaign eventually became more popular and threatening than Tinubu had anticipated.
Why I stepped down for Peter Obi, Pat Utomi reveals
Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the renowned political economist, Professor Utomi, opened up on why he relinquished his presidential aspiration under the Labour Party for Peter Obi.
In an interview published in 2022, Prof. Utomi reeled out some of the major reasons why he let go of his presidential ambition for Peter Obi.
Among others, Utomi said Obi was younger and more energetic in handling the affairs of the nation if he emerged victorious at the 2023 polls.
Source: Legit.ng
