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Ikenna Ngere
Guest
Dr. Chike Obidigbo, the President of Osisioma Foundation and a long-time friend of Peter Obi, has expressed his discontent with the state of Nigerian politics, particularly in light of the recent Edo State governorship election.
Obidigbo revealed that he had advised the 2023 Presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, to redirect his focus away from Nigeria’s political scene, and instead concentrate on initiatives that could benefit young people and the nation in different ways.
Reflecting on the aftermath of the Edo election, Obidigbo remarked that Peter Obi’s support for Olumide Akpata was met with undeserved criticism.
He expressed surprise at those attacking Obi, especially since Akpata was accused of violating zoning agreements in Edo State. Obidigbo was quick to defend Obi’s democratic principles, emphasizing that such attacks highlight the entrenched double standards in Nigerian politics.
The elder statesman went on to express his frustration with the systemic exclusion and marginalization of the Igbo people, suggesting that Obi, like many Igbo leaders, is often hindered by the country’s political landscape.
He argued that while critics were quick to condemn Obi’s actions, there was silence in 2023 when the rotation of power should have favored the Southeast region.
Obidigbo emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy seems to have forgotten the principles of fairness, equity, and respect for the rule of law.
“Nigerians should have come together to insist that all the major political parties recognise that it was the turn of the Southeast to produce the President, since politicians were not prepared to repeat the 1999 standard that threw up all presidential candidates from the Southwest.
“With all the antics of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the Judiciary, the question Nigerians will resolve in 2027 is whether the country’s democracy will continue without an Igbo person at the pinnacle of leadership.
“Northeast is having another four years after previous eight as Vice President. Northwest has had eleven years as President and three years as vice president. Southwest is on another four years after cumulative sixteen years as president and vice president respectively.
“If Nigeria has become a rogue nation that has no respect for the rule of law, fairness and equity, then it would be time to review the union. How can there by democracy without respect for the rule of law? When injustice is perpetrated against the Igbo everybody keeps quiet,” he stated.
Obidigbo also lamented the inaction of Southeast politicians, accusing them of self-interest and failing to stand up for their people. He argued that many have become preoccupied with their personal gains, ignoring the broader struggles faced by the Igbo in Nigeria.
“These Igbo politicians have become mere breadwinners. They are not representing anybody except their bellies and narrow political interests. Look at the case of Nnamdi Kanu, he has been jailed through the backdoor just for speaking up against the growing injustice against his people.
“If things are done the proper way in the country and Igbo not visited with hate and gang up, Kanu would not be agitating. His quest for referendum is because Nigeria has been rubbing salt into injury of the Igbo. What nation does not respect its laws?” he queried.
“So, as a friend of Peter Obi for very many years, I urge him to stop further efforts of trying to improve Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process. He is too decent for the kind of duplicity being played in Nigeria.
“My take is that Peter Obi should channel his vast energy and wide acceptance towards the liberation of his suffering people, rather than waste them on an ungrateful and unreasonably antagonistic people. Enough of these pretences Obi has too much to offer to a system that is so locked in filth,” Obidigbo stated.
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