The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has called on members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to steer clear of legal battles and internal conflicts as preparations for the 2027 general election gather pace.
Obi made the appeal in Abuja on Sunday during an event where he and Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano state, formally joined the NDC at its national secretariat.
The former Anambra governor had earlier announced his departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Kwankwaso had also indicated he was holding “wide-ranging consultations” with the NDC.
Speaking to supporters, Obi cautioned that court disputes could undermine efforts to establish a strong and credible political platform.
“Please let there be no litigation. Party members, please don’t go to court. We want to build a party; we are not lawyers,” he said.
“We are pleading with the judiciary. Please end cases in the party so we can face the job of building a new Nigeria that is possible. We want to start building.
“We want to build a country where a child of nobody can be somebody without knowing anybody. That is what we want to do.”
Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, the NDC national chairman, presented membership cards to Obi and Kwankwaso during the event.
In his remarks, Kwankwaso said their visit was to engage with party stakeholders on its direction and ideology.
He noted that both leaders share similar beliefs and encouraged Nigerians to register with the NDC ahead of the membership deadline.