The Zonal Chairman, Labour Party, Lawal Garba, has been reported dead after his vehicle was involved in an auto crash along Kadun Zaria road in Kaduna State.
Garba was said to be returning home from Kaduna Airport where he had joined other party members to see-off the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, who were returning to Abuja after an engagement with Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
It was learnt that the accident that led to death of the Labour Party chairman occurred yesterday and is expected to be laid to rest on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic rites.
The party’s presidential candidate confirmed the chairman’s death through a statement released by Spokesperson, Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, and made available to newsmen.
Obi described Garba’s death as devastating as well as shocking and that the former chairman died a matyr, fighting to rescue Nigeria from total collapse.
“Just an hour after left us as devastating and shocking . He was a great party leader, a great guide and adviser to the Labour Party in the planning and prosecution of the Presidential Campaigns
“My heart goes to the family, the teeming Labour Party members, the Obidients family, the entire people of Tudun Wada and the Kaduna State in general,” Obi added.
It would be recalled that the party’s presidential candidate, during engagement with the ACF, appealed to Nigerian electorate to put aside ethnic and religious differences and vote for a patriotic candidate with competence, capacity and character to address the socio-economic challenges facing the country.
Obi urged Nigerians of all hues, creed and tribe to look beyond tribes and tongues and vote for a presidential candidate who would transform the country from consumption to production.
The former Anambra State Governor noted that every Nigerian was bearing the brunt of the challenges of hunger, gross unemployment and world poverty capital, irrespective of religious affiliation, ethnic cleavages or geographical location.
He said, “There is insecurity everywhere in our dear country, Nigerians in the East, West, South and North are being terrorised by insurgents and bandits and we have witnessed killings and kidnapping nationwide.
“Obi is a solution provider and will if voted into power transform Nigeria to a progressive, united and prosperous nation.”
“Inflation has reached boiling point. We have 40 percent unemployment. Even those who are working are under employed. Across the country, our youths are jobless and this joblessness fuels insecurity. It is a vicious circle.
“So, we have to choose the right person with the requisite competence, experience and capacity to tackle these problems irrespective of where the person comes from, his religious affiliation or ethnic background.”
Obi assured that a vote for him and his running mate would galvanise all the human and material resources of the country to tackle the security and economic challenges facing the country.
He also assured that LP would run a people centred government, and not one that would favour a few elite at the detriment of the generality of Nigerians.
Obi challenged Nigerians to go and investigate the educational background and track records of him and his running mate, saying they have nothing to hide.
