Labour Party Criticizes Wole Soyinka’s Remarks on Peter Obi’s Election Claim.
The Labour Party has rebuked Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, for his comments regarding Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the last election. Soyinka questioned Obi’s assertion that he won the February 25 election, stating that Obi’s party came in third place.
The literary giant’s remarks did not sit well with the Labour Party, which issued a statement on Thursday night through its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh. The statement accused Soyinka of being blind to the truth and raised questions about his silence on certain election-related events.
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In the statement, the Labour Party said, “The Labour Party took note of the statement that emanated from the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, whom, as an institution, we have the utmost respect for. He is a Nigerian whose accomplishments in the literary world are without doubt intimidating.”
However, the party went on to express its disagreement with Soyinka’s assessment of their performance in the 2023 general elections, stating that they would withhold further comments until the Supreme Court makes its final pronouncement on the matter.
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The Labour Party also highlighted the term “gbajue” used by Soyinka, which implies fraudulent activities like forgery or trafficking, suggesting that these issues were prevalent in the 2023 elections but not within their party.
The party acknowledged that Soyinka might have based his opinion on information provided by those with a particular sentiment. They also emphasized the need to respect the judiciary and await the Supreme Court’s decision.
Furthermore, the statement pointed out various election-related incidents that occurred in Lagos, where Soyinka resides, and questioned his silence on those issues. These incidents included threats to non-indigenes, ballot box snatching, and attacks on Labour Party supporters by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Labour Party appreciated Soyinka for acknowledging their role in breaking the monopoly of power held by the two major parties and for expressing his willingness to be part of a demonstration based on truth. However, they urged him to consider the election-related events that occurred in Lagos during his presence in Nigeria.
This exchange underscores the ongoing debate and controversies surrounding the 2023 elections in Nigeria, with various stakeholders expressing their opinions and concerns about the electoral process and its outcomes.
