Peter Obi Not Influencing NDC Affairs – Umeh

The senator representing Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, has said the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, is not influencing positions or decisions in the party.

Naija News reports that Umeh stated this on Monday while speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show.

He was reacting to speculations and allegations that Obi was involved in influencing positions in the NDC after the party’s recent primary elections.

Umeh said Obi was not the kind of politician who would interfere in internal party processes.

He said, “Peter Obi has not been involved in influencing who becomes what in the NDC. He’s somebody whom you can hardly see drag into a process like this.

“In my local government, where he hails from, the people there are aware of everything, so he doesn’t need to tell them who to support. He doesn’t need to do that.”

The lawmaker said the NDC had a recognised leadership structure and was led by former Bayelsa State governor, Senator Seriake Dickson.

According to him, Dickson’s leadership was one of the reasons he and others joined the party.

“And in the NDC, the party has a leadership, and the leader of that party is Senator Seriake Dickson. It’s because he’s the chairman or the leader of that party that made us join the party, because I work with him in the Senate, and I know his character. I know he stands on national issues,” Umeh said.

Umeh said the entry of Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, into the NDC attracted many aspirants seeking to contest various positions.

He added that some of those alleging extortion were only complaining after failing to get what they wanted.

“Those claiming they were extorted are trying to cheat and have had their fingers burnt,” he said.