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By Tracy Moses
The member representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Joshua Chinedu Obika, has said that his decision to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) was influenced by the political direction of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Obika made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, where he defended his recent political movements and called for unity among opposition figures and Nigerians ahead of future elections.
The lawmaker explained that despite the crisis that rocked the Labour Party, he remained loyal to the party because of his belief in Peter Obi’s leadership and vision for Nigeria.
According to him, he had resolved not to leave the Labour Party unless Obi himself exited the party.
“My position was clear. I was never going to leave the Labour Party unless our leader, Peter Obi, left. I waited for months even when many members had already moved because I believed in his vision and leadership,” he said.
He noted that the lingering crisis within the Labour Party, which affected party structures and electoral processes in some areas, created uncertainty among members and candidates.
Obika explained that after Peter Obi aligned with the NDC coalition, many of his supporters considered it necessary to follow him in order to sustain what he described as a broader movement for national transformation.
According to him, politics should not be centered solely on party platforms but on individuals who genuinely possess the capacity and commitment to improve the country.
“When we talk about a new Nigeria, we must support people who truly believe in transformation and national development. For me, Peter Obi remains one of the few politicians with genuine organic support across the country,” he stated.
He further stressed the need for opposition figures and political stakeholders with similar ideologies to work together in the interest of national development.
Obika called on politicians and supporters across different political parties, including the APC, Labour Party, APGA, and NDC, to embrace unity and focus on nation-building rather than political divisions.
“This is not the time for unnecessary divisions. People who believe in the progress of this country must come together and support a common vision for Nigeria,” he added.
The lawmaker also dismissed criticisms surrounding his movement across political parties, arguing that political realignment is common in Nigerian politics and should not overshadow discussions about governance and service delivery.
He maintained that the focus should instead be on the impact elected officials have made in the lives of their constituents.
Obika subsequently highlighted some of his achievements in office, including bills on the resettlement and compensation of original inhabitants of the FCT, establishment of the FCT Scholarship Board, and legislation for the FCT School of Nursing and Midwifery.
He also listed constituency projects executed under his leadership, including renovation of schools, educational support programmes, scholarships, vocational training, women empowerment initiatives, rehabilitation of boreholes, and rural infrastructure projects.
According to him, more than 400 constituents benefited from empowerment programmes involving vocational tools and equipment, while several students also secured scholarship opportunities locally and abroad.
The lawmaker insisted that leadership should be evaluated based on competence, performance, and commitment to the welfare of the people rather than political party affiliations.
“At the end of the day, it is the people that will decide who represents them. What matters most is service, impact, and commitment to the welfare of the people,” he said.