By Jude Opara, Abuja

The Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Sen. Baba-Ahmed Datti has said that the attacks by the Presidential candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar on the LP Presidential candidate, Peter Obi will not affect his chances at the election coming up next year.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Datti who recollected some of the specific incendiary comments on Obi added that while the Obi/Datti Campaign Organization decided to be civil and courteous, it must not be mistaken for weakness.

He regretted that these top politicians have been making some of these uncomplimentary comments despite signing the peace accord at the beginning of the campaign programme to be civil ad campaign on issues.

“Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, it is unfortunate that despite the noble objectives of this initiative, disinformation and misinformation about the Labour Party and its candidates have become fashionable in this election season.

“Recently, for example there was a false narrative been spread nationwide that Mr Peter Obi is against the production of oil in the north; nothing could be farther from the truth.

“Peter Obi has repeatedly stated at various local and international fora that the greatest physical asset of Nigeria is the vast rich land in the North, and declared his commitment as a visionary transformative leader to exploit same for the overwhelming benefit of the Nigerian people. To the architect of ‘’consumption to production’, oil in the North means more revenue for development, more jobs and opportunities.

“Just a few days ago, the presidential candidate of the APC speaking in Delta State, and referring to our presidential candidate, said that it was a disgrace to mention his name. While our candidate is quite comfortable with not being mentioned, it is most unpresidential, indecorous and disrespectful from the candidate who claims his turn at Nigerian Presidency.

“APCs strategy against Peter Obi now appears very clearly centered on promoting falsehood, in addition to empty and derogatory personal attacks, and of course this is because they can find no contentious points of negativity to push.

“It is pertinent to recall how Mr. Shettima at a recent public event belittled Atiku Abubakar’s educational qualification as well as the modest lifestyle of Peter Obi. Clearly Mr. Shettima is out of touch with reality and cannot understand that people like Peter Obi who have reached the heights in business and material achievement have long transcended the need for ostentatious display of wealth”.

Datti also recalled the role played by the APC Vice Presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima during the kidnap of the Chibok school girls while he was governor of Borno state.

While referring to the comments by Atiku Abubakar in Kaduna during his engagements with leaders of the state said; “Others are not left out; It is important to underline that Oaths of office do not expire with tenure, and hence the comment that the Northern electorate do not need a Yoruba or Igbo leader is greatly at variance with the oaths of office taken in 1999 and 2003 respectively, and the Peace Accord of 2022.

“This is to call upon the owner of the statement to respectfully retract same in order to be readmitted to the honour list of esteemed presidential candidates. Truth of the matter is that every Nigerian from anywhere needs a credible and competent President. Simple”.

The candidate also decried what he described as attacks on the Labour Party and its officials in parts of the country which climaxed last week with the killing of Mrs. Victoria Chintex, the party’s Women Leader in Kaura LG of Kaduna State.

“Just a couple of days ago, Mrs. Victoria Chintex, our vibrant and able Women Leader in Kaura LG of Kaduna State was assassinated while members of her family escaped with injuries. Senseless killings have gone on for too long. We call on government within time left to at least make attempts at fulfilling its 2015 promise of securing lives and property, while serving justice to the killers. Kindly therefore join me in observing a moment of silence in remembrance of her and indeed all victims all over the country.

“We have so far endured the afore-mentioned and have taken remedial actions where necessary and where not we simply ignored. Civility and respect of law must not be read by misguided elements as signs of weakness on our part. It is not too late to adopt our style of strictly campaigning on relevant practical national issues while respecting individuals, and institutions. Any actions to the contrary the people responsible must know they will be held accountable in the decent manner we have presented our issues here today, and in the ways of the law”.