Senate President Godswill Akpabio has responded to recent remarks by the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, urging him to focus on resolving internal crises within his party before aspiring to lead Nigeria.
Speaking during the Senate’s valedictory session on Thursday, held in honor of the late elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, Akpabio questioned Obi’s moral authority to criticize the state of the nation while his own party faces unresolved leadership disputes.
“If you cannot resolve the crisis in your Labour Party, how can you solve the crisis of Boko Haram or other major national issues?” Akpabio asked.
This response follows Obi’s speech at a memorial lecture in Abuja on Wednesday, where he honored the legacy of Chief Clark and lamented the current state of the country. Obi had expressed concern that the sacrifices of Nigeria’s past heroes appeared to be in vain, citing economic hardship, poor governance, and what he described as a decline in democratic values.
He drew attention to the silence of the public over recent fuel price hikes compared to the nationwide protests during the Jonathan administration and criticized those who interpret dissent as demonizing the country.
Akpabio, however, urged political aspirants to address issues within their own political platforms before seeking national leadership.
“I urge those aspiring to lead Nigeria to first address the issues within their own parties,” he said.
The Senate President also used the opportunity to highlight his achievements as a former governor, citing infrastructural development, digital governance, and interfaith unity initiatives, including sponsoring thousands on religious pilgrimages.
He concluded with a caution on the unregulated nature of social media, warning against its misuse in spreading misinformation and division.
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