Before the 2023 governor’s race, Beatrice Itubo, the Labour Party’s candidate for governor in Rivers State, swore never to resign for anybody.
Itubo was responding to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, who had stated that the party will negotiate with the governor of Rivers State to back his bid for the presidency while the LP itself would support the Peoples Democratic Party in the state’s governorship race.
Itubo said that no one has engaged in conversations with her and that Obi’s remarks are only political rhetoric.
However, she asserted that no one could compel her to resign for any candidate, even if negotiations were to take place.
My presidential candidate made a political comment, Itubo said. He didn’t say anything profound. I don’t believe Peter Obi will go and negotiate my position for me, and I won’t go and negotiate with someone else for Peter Obi. I purchased my form, Peter Obi bought his form, and other candidates bought their forms.
“Let me tell you; I came here with a principle; I wasn’t here to argue alone. Some individuals, who are aware of how many things in this state have gone wrong, handed me money and told me to go choose a form. Someone will appear after it and instruct me to begin negotiations.
“I completed and submitted my paperwork. As required by the new Electoral Act, I must be the one to draft and swear an affidavit declaring my intention to withdraw from the race. No one else may do so, not even under threat of force, and if you attempt to do so, the outcome will undoubtedly not be favourable.
Although I am a woman, I am not just any woman. I’m a woman who understands her rights, and I know where my priorities should be.
“Someone can’t come and tell me I have to go,” the speaker said. However, Beatrice Itubo asserted that she gets along well with Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for her party.
