Alleged exclusion: Supporters of Obi/Datti movement threatens to dump LP in Bauchi

By Ahmed Ahmed

Supporters of Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi under the umbrella of Obi/Datti movement in Bauchi state have threatened to withdraw their support for the party over sidelining them by the party leadership in the state.

Mr Chiromah Dasham, who is the head of media Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of Peter Obi and Yusuf Datti in the state, gave the warning at a briefing on Saturday in Bauchi.

He noted that the LP leadership under Mr Hussaini Saraki does not carry people alone in running the affairs of the state.

“We the supporters of the Obi/ Datti Movement have resolved that a vote of no confidence is hereby passed on the leadership of Hussaini Saraki -led State Working Committee (SWC).

“Therefore, we no longer believe in the leadership of Saraki and hereby call on the national leadership of our party to call him to order because his recent actions can lead to failure of the party,” he said.

He accused Saraki for frustrating the movement by sidelining the coalitions and teaming supporters by being high-handed, alleging that he ran the party with his family and friends.

Dasham alleged that the sum of N50m was sent to the leadership of the party in the state for mobilization but the leadership of the party in the state has sat on the money at the detriment of the entire membership of the LP in the state.

He therefore called on the presidential candidate of the LP to look into their grievances before it is too late if he actually wants to win election in the state.

“I assure you if the matter is not resolved we will ensure that the LP did not win, we will shift our lolyalties to a different Party,” he said

The Media head of Peter Obi PCC in the state alleged that the chairman of the party also recruited thugs to attack the state Coordinator PCC of Peter Obi and Datti, Mr Ray Maina.

“The thugs were arrested and with security under investigation, so things like are many that are carried out by the chairman and he is also high handedness,” he said.

Responding, The LP Chairman Saraki said the allegations are unfounded and baseless by some minority group in the party.

He noted that such misunderstanding is bound to happen in the build-up to a major election, saying their grievances would be addressed.

He cautioned that it would be wrong for the support group to attempt to resort to subtle blackmail to have their way.

“It is election season. Everybody is important. No doubt about that. We can assure them that whatever grievances they have will be address.