The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has expressed sadness over the passing of Peter Rufai, a former Super Eagles goalkeeper.

In a condolence message on his official X handle, Obi described the death of the ex-Nigeria goalkeeper as unfortunate, stating that he gave his all for the country during his active days.

He said Rufai delighted many football-loving Nigerians with unforgettable moments throughout his playing career.

The former Anambra State governor prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and asked God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

“May his soul rest in perfect peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire generations to come. Rest in power, Peter Rufai, our Dodo Mayana,” Obi said.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that Rufai died at the age of 61 on Thursday in Lagos, following an illness.

Former Labour Party presidential running mate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, has disclosed that he predicted the current role ex-Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai is playing in the coalition two years ago.

Baba-Ahmed revealed that he had foreseen El-Rufai’s present role and shared this prediction with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

He made the disclosure while featuring on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday night.

Baba-Ahmed also stated that he would support whoever emerges as the coalition’s presidential candidate, provided the primary election is credible.

He said: “I need to see a very clean and transparent primary is taking place, will that happen I don’t know. I’m a good team player and at the end of the day, there is only so much you humans can do.

“I was the 12th aspirant in Port Harcourt and I served as Director of Research and Strategy in the PDP in 2018 and 2019, credibly I served.

“Because I didn’t want a presidential contest coming from the North in 2023, I thought of contesting the governorship until I saw the kind of primaries that were to be held and I pulled out, the next day Peter Obi pulled out of PDP.

“So if I’m in the coalition and a candidate emerges based on the kind of acceptable practices that should happen to me, I will readily work with that person and it doesn’t have to be Obi.

“Peter Obi was with me in the Labour Party and we all decided to go back and contest, I’m with him by default.

“If he contests in coalition and wins, I will give him the support. I have Obi. Two names, two years ago. I had predicted that El-Rufai was headed this way and there are many correct calculations that I did that have come true.

“I’m saying he would come into some form of a coalition and try to play the kind of role he is playing today.”

Popular singer and activist, Charles Chukwuemeka Oputa, known by his stage name, Charly Boy has rubbished the alignment of opposition leaders to form coalition to unseat President Tinubu in 2027.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that a coalition of political heavyweights from the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, Social Democratic Party and aggrieved members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC have come together ahead of the 2027 election.

The opposition leaders led by former Senate President, David Mark had adopted the African Democratic Congress, ADC as official platform to wrestle power from Tinubu in 2027.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that while the development stimulated jubilation across the country as opposition built up again, some Nigerians are skeptical about the mission of the opposition figures.

A popular Nigerian activist, Omoyele Sowore had in a statement on Wednesday distanced himself from the movement, describing the opposition figures as corrupt.

Similarly, Charly Boy in a post on his official Facebook page on Thursday night, said members of the coalition are the same “people that sank this country are suddenly singing redemption songs”.

According to the entertainer, the mission is not about Nigeria but their selfish desires for power, stressing that “it’s just old wolves in the new agbada”.

“Coalitions are forming, but let’s not pretend that every alliance is progress.
Sometimes, it’s just old wolves in new agbada.

“Are they fighting for you, or fighting to sit where their enemies used to sit?

“Are they shouting “enough is enough” because they’ve changed…Or because they’re no longer the ones benefitting?

“We don’t just need new names. We need new values, new visions, and people with the guts to live by them. 2027 is not about revenge. It’s about rescue”, he wrote.