By James Adamu, Abuja
Senate President Godswill Akpabio took a swipe at former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Thursday, advising him to be responsible enough to resolve the internal crises in Labour Party before seeking to govern Nigeria
The Senate President’s remarks came during a valedictory session honouring the late Niger Delta elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark.
He implied that Obi’s focus on national leadership would carry more weight if he first proved his ability to unite his own party, which remains mired in prolonged infighting
Akpabio asked: “If you cannot even resolve the crisis in that Labour Party, is it the crisis of Boko Haram that you will come and resolve in Nigeria?”
“Those who are aspiring as presidential candidates should stop using social media to sow division. Tell them to fix the small party they have before dreaming of governing the entire country.”
Akpabio who was also a former governor, weighed Obi’s record against his own, citing his time as governor, marked by infrastructure upgrades, expanded health and education funding, and programmes to bridge religious divides, as proof of executive experience
“I can tell you about the dualised roads in my city, the international hospitals, free and compulsory education, and the unity I brought by sponsoring thousands to Jerusalem and Mecca,” he said. “Let those who want to rule Nigeria start by fixing what’s in their hands.”
The Senate President’s remarks were a reaction to Obi’s comments made a day earlier, during his tribute to Clark, where the former Anambra governor claimed that the sacrifices of Nigeria’s past heroes had been in vain. Obi pointed to the worsening economic and social conditions in the country as evidence.
“We say the labour of our heroes past should not be in vain, but it is. People protested fuel price hikes under Jonathan, now that fuel is N900, they are silent,” Obi lamented.
In a related development, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo also lashed out at Obi for questioning the credibility of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo.
Describing Obi’s remarks as “unfounded and disrespectful,” Okpebholo, through his Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, insisted the election was conducted under high standards of transparency and fairness.
“Mr. Obi’s comments are baseless and appear to be politically motivated,” the statement read. “We urge him to respect the mandate given by Edo people and contribute positively to democratic discourse, not undermine it.”
Okpebholo warned that the peace and stability of Edo State must not be compromised by “reckless and divisive rhetoric.”
Discussion about this post