Obi to Southern Kaduna people: We are consumed by patriotic zeal to serve our fatherland

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi and his running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti-Baba Ahmed, on Saturday returned to Kaduna where they were on Wednesday, this time round in Kafanchan, Southern Kaduna and allayed the fears of Christian and Muslim leaders who expressed concern over frequent disagreements between President and his Vice.

The leaders said such disagreements always resulted in religious tension in the country, but Obi and his running mate quickly allayed their fears, saying that such fights emanated from transactional deals which they were not into at all.

The duo spoke at a town hall meeting while responding to concerns expressed by the Chairman, Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association,
Apostle Nuhu E. Kure, citing such situation in the current administration.

But Obi who addressed leaders of both Christian and Moslem community at the Throne Room Ministry in Kafanchan, said himself and Datti had nothing to quarrel about.

According to him, “the reason why people quarrel is transaction. I have no reason for self enrichment, God has given me enough. I am contented.

“Those who steal govt money abuse God’s grace. We want to work for this country. There is no other thing we need.”

The LP presidential standard bearer said Nigeria lacked committed and competent leaders, and assured them that the commitment of himself and his running mate, if elected, would be total.

“We will fight corruption. Presidency requires physical and mental energy, and not a retirement home for old and tired people.

“There nothing wrong with Nigeria, what is wrong is bad leadership. Our leaders have refused to rise above expectations,” he added.

He assured the people that his government would secure and unite Nigeria, adding that those who are creating insecurity in the country are not greater than government.

“We need leadership, Datti and I will not shy away to secure Nigeria. We are promising Nigerians that after our leadership there will be a difference,” he stated.

The presidential running mate who said he was outside the country when Obi invited him to run with him, said he was not an ambitious person.

He added that himself and Obi were different from other politicians.

Read him: “We are different because we speak with action. Nigeria is going to change because we are different. I am an ambitious person.

“We have worked for six months, if there will be disagreement, it would have shown. So entertain no fears as far as Peter Obi and I are concerned.”

Datti assured that the Obi-Datti government, if elected, would provide infrastructure and better the lives of Nigerians.

“You will see the result when you hear Peter Obi as president of Nigeria. We will stop the killing and start the healing; we will stop the stealing and start keeping the money,” he said.

Apostle Kure and Chief Imam of Kafanchan Mohammed Kabiru, who also doubles as Chairman, Council of Imams in Southern Kaduna, said both Christians and Moslems in Southern Kaduna have resolved to vote for a presidential candidate who will protect their interest.

They also wanted Southern Kaduna to be provided with basic infrastructure if Labour Party forms the next government.

“Southern Kaduna has votes that is more than eight states. In the last election, 90% went to one party.

“Religion and tribe should not be issues in deciding positions, but merit. We are doing everything to restore peace. The vice presidential candidate should help us in the North and enlighten them. Most of the crises in Southern Kaduna come from outside the state,” Apostle Kure stated.

Obi had visited the palace of HRH Ufwai Bonnet, the Fada Sarki, Kagoro, as well as commission Labour Party office in Southern Kaduna