With the Newham elections taking place on May 3rd, this week’s Big Q invited Green Party member and former Newham mayoral candidate Chidi Oti Obihara to tell Rising East why he stood down. Also on the panel was the equalities spokesperson for the Green Party, Rashid Nix.
Explaining why he withdrew from the election, Oti-Obihara described a corrupt system that “benefits the incumbent” and slammed Labour for its handling of LOBO loans. Oti-Obihara pulled no punches, accusing Labour of getting the borough’s finances into a “sorry mess”. Calling for transparency from the next mayor, Oti-Obihara encouraged all constituents to remain vigilant – whoever is elected on May 3rd. The panel also discussed the recent Windrush controversy, knife crime, and inequality.
Hosted by: Liam MacDevitt
Guests: Chidi Oti-Obihara, Rashid Nix.
Photography: Aurora Henni Krogh
Videographer: Conail Gallagher