Toba Owojaiye reporting
Benin Cit, Edo State
In a recent interview broadcast on Channels TV, and duly monitored by Truth Live News, Dr. Doyin Okupe, former director general of the Labour Party’s presidential campaign council, disclosed a grim reality to Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate: that less than 10% of Nigerian stakeholder are behind them, despite the party’s past popularity.
Okupe highlighted key players such as Nigerian elites, the court, the military, and businesspeople as those not in their corner.
He emphasized that this lack of support indicates a significant disinterest in their cause among the populace, predicting an inevitable loss in the upcoming election. Okupe even recounted instances where individuals from opposing parties acknowledged their efforts but cautioned against misplaced optimism, citing the stark reality of their minimal support base.
He said “ When we were working with Peter, even people in the APC and PDP secretly contacted us to tell us, ‘Doyin, you people are doing well o.'” he added. Please remember me. The elderly.
I did not fall for it. “We are doing great”, I told Peter when I called him. Nonetheless, we will lose the election because of this. Reason being, we have the support of fewer than 10% of the Nigerian stakeholders. Even if we were to win, they would simply steal it from us. Businessmen, soldiers, members of the court, and elites of Nigeria are all involved. If we can only muster 10%, it’s safe to assume that their interests are completely at odds with ours and that they have zero financial or emotional investment in our cause. Trust me when I say we’re not winning”.
However, reactions to Okupe’s remarks have been polarized. While some netizens perceive his words as a betrayal of trust, questioning the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process, others, including political pundits, advocate for a strategic shift in approach.
They argue that Peter Obi’s strong appeal to the youth demographic presents an opportunity to recalibrate their outreach efforts over the next three years, with a focus on engaging and winning over these critical stakeholders. This divergence in perspectives reveals the complexities inherent in Nigeria’s political landscape, where competing interests and strategic maneuvers shape electoral dynamics.