About 24 hours after the African Democratic Party (ADC) adopted Peter Obi as its presidential candidate, another political party, Booty Party, collapsed its structure into the Labour Party.
In a ceremony held in Lagos on Tuesday, the two parties formed an alliance that was facilitated by the leader of the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who has been a staunch supporter of Obi.
Booty Party’s governorship candidate Olawale Oluwo, said he has given up his governorship ambition to support the presidential candidacy of Peter Obi for the greater interest of Nigeria and Nigerians.
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The ceremony was graced by political bigwigs, including Mrs Akerele Bucknor, who served as Lagos State deputy governor under Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress. Labour Party’s governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, was also in attendance.
The Booty Party also adopted Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, as its governorship candidate in Lagos, but said the state House of Assembly will be harmonized. Oluwo urged the people of Lagos to come out en masse to vote, assuring them of protection against intimidation or attack.
The ADC had similarly adopted Obi as its presidential candidate on Monday. The party said it made the decision following consultations with its stakeholders.
“After our due diligence and critical assessment of the 17 presidential candidates and what they have to offer Nigerians, and after consulting our Grand Patron and former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, we decided as a party that the Obi-Datti Movement is a worthy cause to endorse,” the ADC said in a statement.
Obi has been racking up endorsements from opposition parties ahead of the February 25 election. Other parties like National Conscience Party (NCP) had earlier thrown their weight behind the Labour Party presidential flagbearer.
The National Christian Elders Forum, a group of Christian elder statesmen across the geopolitical zones, has likewise endorsed Obi. The Christian elders, in a statement titled, “Resolutions towards 2023 elections: Think new”, signed by its chairman Dr. Samuel Gani and Secretary, Pastor Bosun Emmanuel, in Abuja on Tuesday, said Nigeria requires new leaders, new methods, new policies, and new political parties for equity, justice, inclusiveness, and unity to produce the preferred future for Nigerians.
The body said: “The National Christian Elders Forum is endorsing Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party as the Presidential candidate to be voted for. NCEF encourages all Nigerians of voting age to exercise their civic duty and ensure that they vote for capacity, competency, integrity, and good health. Nigerians, think new!”