Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has advised Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to focus on resolving internal issues within his party before seeking the presidency of Nigeria.
Akpabio’s comments followed a statement from Obi that questioned the value of the sacrifices made by Nigeria’s past leaders.
The Senate President made his remarks during a valedictory session held in honor of the late Chief Edwin Clark, a prominent South-South leader and former Federal Commissioner for Information. Akpabio stressed the importance of resolving party matters before one can be entrusted with the governance of a nation as large and complex as Nigeria.
Akpabio’s response came after Obi, speaking at the memorial lecture for Chief Clark, expressed concern over the state of the nation. Obi praised Clark’s courage and sacrifices but lamented the lack of meaningful change in Nigeria.
He pointed to the recent fuel price hikes and the absence of public protests, contrasting it with the widespread protests during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s time over similar issues. Obi also criticized the government, claiming that his criticism was misinterpreted as “demonizing” the country.
In response, Akpabio noted that resolving the ongoing crisis within the Labour Party should be Obi’s priority before he can tackle national issues.
“If you cannot resolve the crisis in your Labour Party, how can you solve the crisis of Boko Haram or other major national issues?
“I urge those aspiring to lead Nigeria to first address the issues within their own parties.”
He also took the opportunity to highlight his achievements as a former governor.
He said: “I can proudly speak about the dualized thoroughfares in my city, the international hospitals, and the digitalized governor’s offices.
“I also initiated free and compulsory education and worked towards religious unity by sponsoring over 5,800 Muslims and over 12,000 to 15,000 Christians on pilgrimages to Rome and Jerusalem.”
