Prof Osuntokun, Peter Obi’s New Campaign DG, Says He Accepted the Job Without Religious or Ethnic Sentiments in Mind

Newly appointed Director General of Peter Obi-Datti Baba Ahmed Presidential Campaign Council, Professor Akin Osuntokun, said he accepted the appointment without religious or ethnic sentiments in mind.

The Ekiti State-born politician also dismissed speculations that he may have influenced or lobbied for his new job.

Balogun Osuntokun was responding to questions from The PUNCH on how he would face critics from the South West which is dominated by the All Progressives Congress and supporters of its presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, for choosing to work with the presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, an indigene of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria.

Osuntokun responded, “We are taking Nigeria away from the culture of sentiments. We are not going to help in perpetuating those primordial sentiments. Being a Yoruba man, Igbo or Fulani should not be a determinant to winning the election this time.

“Otherwise, we will be holding ourselves responsible for all things that have gone wrong in this country. The question should be about competence and antecedents.”

Asked if he would be under any form of pressure after his appointment following the exit of Okupe, Osuntokun admitted that he would not be the only person undergoing such pressure.

Osuntokun said though his new role may come with additional responsibilities, he was equal to the task of taking pressure.

“Of course, so will be the other DGs of other campaigns. Anybody in the campaign hierarchy will necessarily be under pressure until after the election. It is not an armchair position.

“Naturally, I feel good about it. I look forward to the new role. It didn’t come to me as a shock. I didn’t lobby for it,” he added.