Akin Osuntokun, the Director-General of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council, shared insights with DAUDU BALA on the post-election wrangling in 2023, addressing the 171-day legal battle aimed at nullifying President Bola Tinubu’s election.
When asked about the Labour Party’s plans for rebuilding after losing the presidency and facing court challenges, Osuntokun emphasized that, although they have completed the court case, they haven’t convened to discuss the next steps.
However, he expressed optimism that Nigerians frustrated with the existing political landscape might find solace in the Labour Party, particularly the younger generation.
Osuntokun criticized the actions of the ruling APC, highlighting instances of extravagant spending amid pressing national challenges.
He expressed confidence that the Labour Party, having established credibility in the last election, could attract those seeking an alternative to the status quo.
Addressing rumors of Peter Obi abandoning Nigeria after the legal battle, Osuntokun dismissed the notion, asserting that Obi is not desperate for power and has grown as a person, becoming a role model for many Nigerians.
He emphasized that Obi’s achievements during his time with the party remain intact, and there is no logical reason for him to alienate himself from Nigeria.
Responding to concerns that Tinubu might pursue vendettas against Obi and other party chieftains, Osuntokun defended Tinubu, stating that he is not a vengeful politician.
However, he acknowledged that this perspective is his personal view.
Regarding allegations of money politics influencing the 2023 elections, Osuntokun agreed, stating that the monetization of politics equates to corruption.
Despite the results announced by INEC, he maintained that the majority of votes were won by Obi, attributing the loss to manipulation by institutions such as INEC and security agents.
Osuntokun also addressed the challenge of putting trust in INEC, asserting that the party had no choice.
He discussed the impact of the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), which made it harder to inflate figures, forcing manipulators to adjust numbers to favor their preferred candidates.
In response to claims of low voter turnout, Osuntokun argued that the actual voters turned out, but the discrepancy arises from inflated figures in the voter register.
He drew parallels with population census figures, emphasizing the need to address the issue of inflated data to prevent deceiving ourselves about the country’s demographics.
Reflecting on what the Labour Party could have done differently, Osuntokun suggested taking the party more seriously and exploring avenues to raise funds.
He acknowledged that the burden of fundraising fell unfairly on Peter Obi, identifying it as an area for improvement.
In conclusion, Osuntokun hinted at the Labour Party’s potential to rebound, focusing on addressing challenges and attracting Nigerians disillusioned with the current political landscape.
