The Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) has said it is a misnomer and opportunistic to adorn the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, with the garb of a party leader.
The former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, had threatened to dump the party ahead of the 2027 general elections if the internal crisis continued.
Obi, who made the threat while featuring on an X space hosted by Parallel Facts, had said he was trying to change the Labour Party but he could not die with them if the crisis continued.
However, the DSM National Organising Secretary, Peluola Adewale in a statement on Thursday asserted that it is a flawed “ideological approach” together with political opportunism that prompted the party to describe Peter Obi as the leader.
The Secretary affirmed that it was the same neo-liberal programme especially fuel subsidy removal and devaluation of the naira stridently advocated by Obi that are currently implemented by the Bola Tinubu government and largely responsible for the ongoing devastating economic hardship and cost of living crisis.
The statement reads in part; “The fact is that, for nearly two decades, the party formed by the NLC has been effectively abandoned and left in the hands of a series of political merchants and charlatans who treat it as a mere “cash and carry” merchandise for self-enrichment. Therefore, we support every legitimate step and action to reclaim the Labour Party from these impostors.
“However, it is not enough for the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party who have proclaimed the takeover of the control of the party to assure “all stakeholders” that they are “committed to reclaiming and repositioning the Labour Party as the vehicle for the socio-political emancipation of our dear country, her working people and populace.” It is also important that how to achieve this is clearly spelt out and open to debate in the labour movement.
“It is the same flawed “ideological approach” together with political opportunism that prompted the BOT to describe Peter Obi as the leader of the party. No doubt, Labour Party owes its impressive performance in the 2023 general elections to Obi joining the party.
“Seen by sections of young and middle-class people as a frugal manager of resources, Obi was able to attract the support of a good number of Nigerians many of whom are genuinely looking for an alternative outside the leading establishment parties like APC and PDP.
“However, the leader of a party should be an embodiment of its philosophy and program. Unless the Labour Party has officially adopted neo-liberal program, it is a misnomer and opportunistic to adorn Obi with the garb of the Party leader. Being purportedly frugal is not enough, what is most important is the economic program and philosophy.
“For instance, it is the same neo-liberal program especially fuel subsidy removal and devaluation of the naira stridently advocated by Obi and currently implemented by the Bola Tinubu government which is largely responsible for the ongoing devastating economic hardship and cost of living crisis.
“Yes, it is true that Obi says he would have done it differently but whichever way the fuel subsidy was removed it means a massive cut in living standards despite the talk that it was only the looters who would suffer.”
