2023 Presidency: How Tinubu asked Pat Utomi to step down for Peter Obi, Labour Party Gov Candidate opens up

Tawfiq Akinwale, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in Oyo state, has alleged that President-elect Bola Tinubu asked Professor Pat Utomi to step down for Peter Obi in the buildup to the 2023 general elections.

Akinwale, who spoke in the Yoruba language, made the allegation while appearing as a guest on a radio programme on 101.7 YES FM, Ibadan.

Asked how Peter Obi and his Obidient supporters got into Labour Party, the former governorship candidate said Utomi had already secured the LP's ticket.

In the buildup to the 2023 elections, Obi who had purchased the nomination form of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suddenly announced his exit from the party.

The former governor of Anambra state said he resigned from the PDP "because of issues that are at variance with" his "persona and principles".

He later joined the LP, saying the party "is synonymous with the people, workers, development, production, securing and uniting Nigerians as one family."

However, Akinwale said Tinubu, whom he described as a master political strategist, swiftly urged Utomi, who had reportedly secured the LP's presidential ticket, to step down for Obi.

The LP chieftain said the president-elect saw in Obi's presidential bid, a good chance to reduce the winning chances of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

Speaking further, Akinwale alleged that Obi received campaign funds from Utomi, whom he described as Tinubu's "son".

The LP chieftain alleged that it was Tinubu who provided the funds that Utomi gave the LP presidential candidate.

Akinwale, however, noted that Obi's presidential campaign eventually became more popular and threatening than Tinubu had anticipated.