Peter Obi Broke No Law by Joining ADC, Acted in Nigeria’s Best Interest — Tanko Yunusa
Former Spokesman of the Obi/Datti Presidential Campaign in the 2023 general election, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, has said that Mr. Peter Obi broke no law by joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stressing that the decision was taken in the overall interest of Nigeria.
Yunusa dismissed claims in some quarters that Obi unilaterally dumped the Labour Party, explaining that the former Anambra State Governor consulted widely with the leadership of the party as well as the Obedient Movement before making the move.
He made these clarifications while featuring live on The Front Burner, a programme aired on Super 92.7 FM, Lagos.
According to him, Peter Obi is not desperate to lead the country, contrary to widespread speculation, but has embraced the idea of a coalition as a credible means of rescuing Nigeria from years of misrule under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Yunusa further disclosed that Obi enjoys a good working relationship with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, which he likened to that of a father and son, noting that Atiku would play a fatherly and advisory role in the coalition with wisdom and reason.
He expressed confidence that Obi holds a strategic advantage, particularly with age on his side and the prevailing sentiment that the next President should emerge from the southern part of the country.
The former spokesman maintained that if given the mandate, Peter Obi would put the country back on track within four years and lay a solid foundation for the North to consolidate power in 2031.
Responding to a caller who accused Obi of mismanaging funds during his tenure as Governor of Anambra State, Yunusa said Obi ran the state with accountability and transparency, leaving about ₦75 billion in the state’s coffers and ensuring that all workers’ salaries were paid before he exited office.
He listed among Obi’s achievements the construction of quality road networks connecting all local government areas, a development he said helped curb insecurity in the state during his tenure.
Yunusa also noted that Governor Willie Obiano, who succeeded Obi, used part of the ₦75 billion left behind to construct the Anambra International Airport. He added that late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua similarly left over ₦5 billion for his successor in Katsina State.
He challenged former governors across the country to openly declare how much they left in their state coffers upon leaving office.
Yunusa concluded by asserting that Peter Obi has the capacity to change Nigeria’s narrative within a short period, assuring that Obi would keep his promise of serving only one four-year term. He cited the examples of late General Murtala Mohammed and President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, both of whom, despite short tenures, recorded notable achievements.
