Babachir Lawal explains reasons for endorsing Peter Obi
Former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal has explained why he endorsed Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
Lawal was initially in support of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but when the former Lagos State governor picked Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim, Lawal withdrew his support.
In a statement on Thursday, Lawal said he chose Obi after a painstaking review of the presidential candidates.
The former SGF also said the Obi/Datti ticket speaks to a genuine clamour on power shift.
“As one of the foremost critics of APC’s single-faith presidential ticket and also in deference to those who have patiently waited for our guidance as to where to pitch our tent, after a painstaking review and analysis of the alternative presidential tickets, we now wish to recommend the Obi/Datti presidential ticket,” the statement reads in part.
“Obviously, a Christian/Muslim presidency like the Obi/Datti one will be most appropriate at this stage of our political journey, more so, since we are now transiting from a Muslim/Christian presidency.
“It will also achieve the regional shift of the presidency from the current NW/SW to a SE/NW presidency as popularly being canvassed.
“This is justice; this is equity. This is political engineering at its best and one that engineers peace and harmonious co-existence of the various socio-political and religious classes of our nation.
“Nigerians should also resist the temptation of being ruled by the same set of courtiers who are recycling themselves, their children and their friends in a monarchal fashion, in and out of government to the exclusion of other segments of the society.
“Nigerians must be awake to these very dangerous campaign trends because any of the political parties that come into government by pandering to ethnic or religious sentiments may not be able to govern successfully and might further accentuate the social cleavages.
“Men of good conscience should therefore look to opportunities that unite rather than divide us. Only the Labor Party presents this opportunity.
“We, therefore, call on all patriots to labour for our country in this presidential election. Nigeria’s future is at stake in this presidential election. Obi-Datti is the only way to go. All other ways lead to perdition.”
Follow us on social media
