By Musa Baba Adamu
The governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Rivers State, Beatrice Itubo has vowed never to step down for anyone ahead of the 2023 governorship election.
Itubo was speaking in reaction to the comments by the Presidential candidate of the Labour party, Peter Obi who had said the party will enter a negotiation with the Rivers State Governor to support his presidential ambition, while the LP in turn supports the Peoples Democratic Party in the governorship election in the state.
Speaking on the issue, Itubo excused Obi’s comments as a mere political statement, saying that no one has held any negotiations with her.
She, however, said nobody can force her to step down for any candidate, even if any negotiation was to be held.
Itubo said ”my presidential candidate made a political statement. He did not make any serious statement. I bought my form, Peter Obi bought his form, other candidates bought their forms and so I do not think that Peter Obi will go and negotiate my position for me, neither will I go and negotiate with somebody else for Peter Obi.
“Let me tell you; I have a principle, I did not come on my own to contest. Some people know how a lot of things have been going wrong in this state, these same people contributed money and gave me to go and pick a form. At the end of that, somebody will come and tell me to go and negotiate.
“I have filled and submitted my forms. Of course, the new Electoral Act says I must be the one who will write and swear an affidavit and say I am no longer going and nobody, not even at gunpoint and of course, if you try to force me, they will not like what will happen.
“I am a woman but I’m not just an ordinary woman. I am a woman who knows her right and I know exactly how to place my priorities.
“For someone to come and force it down my throat that I must step down, it is impossible”.
Beatrice Itubo, however, said she has a cordial relationship with her party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
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