In response to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, saying that “the labor of our heroes past is all in vain,” Senate President Godswill Akpabio has retaliated.
According to Akpabio, if Obi is unable to address internal party conflicts, he has the moral capacity to lead Nigeria.
Yesterday in Abuja, Akpabio spoke at a Senate chamber valedictory ceremony honoring the late elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark.
“If you cannot resolve the crisis in your Labour Party, how can you resolve the crisis of Boko Haram or other major national issues?” Akpabio remarked, taking a subtle jab at Obi. I implore those hoping to become Nigeria’s leaders to deal with the problems within their own parties.
The Senate President’s remark was made the day after Obi honored the late Clark in a memorial address in Abuja.
During his remarks, Obi bemoaned the current situation in Nigeria while applauding Clark’s legacy of bravery and selflessness. He maintained that the difficulties of the present had made the efforts of previous leaders, like as General Yakubu Gowon and former President Goodluck Jonathan, pointless.
The absence of public protests over recent increases in petrol prices, in contrast to the large-scale rallies during Jonathan’s administration, was another example of Obi’s criticism of the Nigerian government for a lack of accountability and civic engagement.
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Nigerian democracy, he argued, was in decline, and he was frequently accused of “demonizing the country” for raising his voice.
But Akpabio brushed Obi’s comments aside as unpersuasive and proposed that handling internal party matters is the first step towards success.
Akpabio reflected on his record and emphasized his accomplishments as the former governor of Akwa Ibom State. He stated, “I can speak with pride about the dualized thoroughfares in my city, the digitalized governor’s offices, and the international hospitals.”
He went on to say that he introduced free and mandatory education in the state and encouraged religious inclusiveness by funding pilgrimages to Mecca, Rome, and Jerusalem for more than 5,800 Muslims and 12,000 to 15,000 Christians.
By characterizing social media as mainly unregulated and frequently used to deceive the public, the Senate President also issued a warning against its divisive usage.
“Resolve your party issues first before aspiring to lead Nigeria,” Akpabio said as he wrapped up his remarks, sending a clear message to opposition leaders.
