The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on Saturday, explained the reasons why he failed to meet with the party’s Rivers State governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, Mrs Beatrice Itubo.

The PUNCH, on Thursday, reported that Obi was invited by the state’s governor, Nyesom Wike, to inaugurate the Nkpolu-Oroworokwo Flyover in Port-Harcourt, the state capital.

Meanwhile, Obi did not meet with the governorship candidate of his party, LP, citing ‘inadvertent oversight’ and lack of information on the state of the candidate’s health status as the conditions.

The LP presidential candidate in a series of tweet on his verified handle, said, “My sincere apologies to Mrs Beatrice Itubo, the Labour Party candidate in Rivers State for an inadvertent oversight.

“When I visited Port Harcourt a few days back, I was not informed or aware of her sickness.

“On arrival in Port Harcourt, I was welcomed by the Labour Party Presidential State Coordinator in Rivers State and other Party stakeholders.

“We had a useful meeting and I explained to them the purpose of my visit, which was to respectfully honour an invitation by the Rivers State Government and that I will return for our party’s rally and other LP engagements soon.”

Continuing, Obi said, “No one mentioned that our candidate was sick, otherwise I would have visited her before or after the event. I had committed to passing through the campaign office no matter how late and I did at about 6:30 pm.

“My dear sister, I sincerely wish you a very quick recovery and reassure you of our good working relationship. May God Almighty bless you always,” Obi added. (Saturday PUNCH)

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