Politics
Peter Obi Criticizes President’s Prolonged Absence Calls for Urgent Leadership
Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party and a renowned advocate for transparency and good governance, has raised concerns about the prolonged absence of both the President and Vice President from Nigeria, especially at a time when the nation is grappling with severe economic challenges.
Speaking in response to media reports detailing their international travels, Obi questioned the leadership’s priorities, particularly given the depth of the domestic issues affecting millions of Nigerians.
In his statement, Obi emphasized that while some might argue that there is no vacancy in the Presidency despite both leaders being out of the country, it remains troubling for a nation facing a multitude of crises.
He noted that the President had initially informed the public that he would be away for only 14 days, a period that has now elapsed.
With the country still waiting for his return, Obi argued that a leader of a troubled nation like Nigeria should prioritize the welfare of the people and return earlier than planned, considering the pressing volume of work that requires urgent attention.
Obi further highlighted the unimaginable hardship Nigerians are enduring due to some policies implemented by the current administration.
He pointed out that the policies have led to unprecedented levels of suffering and poverty across the nation, a situation that demands the immediate focus of the President.
“We need his urgent attention to pilot the nation out of this present situation,” Obi remarked.
One of the most concerning aspects of the President’s recent absence, according to Obi, was the decision to send the Vice President to Sweden for a two-day working visit, while the President himself was in Paris, France.
Obi argued that Paris, which is only 833 nautical miles from Stockholm, would have allowed the President to make a brief detour to attend the event in Sweden, saving valuable time and national resources.
Instead, the Vice President had to travel a much longer distance—3055 nautical miles from Abuja to Stockholm, a journey of over nine hours.
Obi expressed his dismay, noting that this decision resulted in far more travel time and expense than if the President had simply attended the meeting himself while in Europe.
“This does not represent the kind of fiscal responsibility and common sense that is expected of leaders whose people are facing severe hunger and poverty,” Obi stated.
He emphasized the importance of making decisions that reflect true leadership, especially during times of crisis.
For Obi, this is a moment for the nation’s leaders to demonstrate their commitment to alleviating the suffering of Nigerians by managing the country’s limited resources with efficiency and care.
As the country continues to navigate economic challenges, many Nigerians, particularly those living in poverty, are hoping for a stronger, more engaged leadership.
Obi’s comments resonate with a significant portion of the population, who feel the current administration has not done enough to address the deepening economic woes.
His call for prioritizing the well-being of the people through more responsible governance reflects the growing sentiment among citizens that the nation needs leadership that will put their needs first.
With his slogan “A New Nigeria is Possible,” Peter Obi continues to inspire hope for a future where government actions are more in tune with the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
As he champions the need for fiscal discipline and compassionate leadership, Obi’s message strikes a chord with many who feel the country is at a crossroads and in desperate need of change.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, recently stirred political conversation when he described Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, as a “prodigal son” during the ceremony for the Abia International Airport.
Keyamo hinted that Otti, who has switched political allegiances over the years, might eventually return to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Alex Otti’s political journey has seen several shifts. Originally a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), he joined the APC in 2020.
However, in the build-up to the 2023 general elections, Otti moved to the Labour Party (LP), a decision that ultimately led to his successful gubernatorial campaign and his victory as Governor of Abia State.
His victory signaled a significant political shift in the state, traditionally dominated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
During his speech, Keyamo chose to focus on Otti’s political journey in a light-hearted manner, likening him to the biblical prodigal son.
“Today is not a day for politics,” Keyamo remarked.
“But yes, he strayed away. He was with us, and he strayed away like the prodigal son.”
The ceremony was a significant moment for Abia State, with the proposed Abia International Airport set to be located in Nsulu, in the Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area.
Keyamo revealed that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to approve the location of the airport was influenced by his admiration for Governor Otti’s leadership and the support he commands among the people of Abia State.
“The President’s motivation was also the fact that he loves the governor of this state,” Keyamo stated.
“He loves his spirit. I know the comments he has made about the governor and how much people here love him.”
Nollywood actor Yul Edochie recently praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the noticeable improvements in electricity supply and national security across Nigeria.
The actor, known for his outspoken nature, stated that several states are now benefiting from up to 22 hours of consistent power supply each day.
He attributed this development to the current administration’s policies.
Edochie also acknowledged that incidents of terrorism have significantly declined, which he credited to the strategic approach of President Tinubu.
He referred to the president as a “master strategist” and “silent achiever,” pointing to Tinubu’s leadership style that, according to him, delivers results without much public fanfare.
In a post shared on his Instagram page, Edochie wrote that Nigeria’s security and infrastructure are gradually improving thanks to Tinubu’s governance.
He expressed confidence that more positive changes are on the way, addressing his audience with optimism that the president, popularly known as Jagaban, is committed to solving the nation’s challenges.
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the National Assembly, has expressed his belief that Nigeria would be in a better state today if Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, had emerged victorious.
According to Abaribe, an Obi-led administration would have steered the nation in a more inclusive and equitable direction compared to what is currently being experienced under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the senator criticized Tinubu’s administration for what he described as a deepening culture of nepotism.
He argued that Peter Obi’s leadership style would have been starkly different, emphasizing fairness and inclusivity.
“If Peter Obi had won, you would likely see a better Nigeria today.
First of all, he would not practice nepotism at the level we are witnessing now. It’s not in his character; that’s just who he is.
He would have led with a sense of fairness, not just for a select few but for all Nigerians,” Abaribe stated.
One of the examples Abaribe cited to support his claim of nepotism was President Tinubu’s decision to appoint four ministers from Ogun State, while several other states received only one ministerial appointment.
This, according to the senator, mirrors a trend that began under former President Muhammadu Buhari but has intensified under Tinubu’s leadership.
Abaribe noted that Buhari’s favoritism toward certain regions and groups was largely unchallenged, creating a precedent that Tinubu has seemingly built upon.
However, Abaribe was adamant that Nigerians, particularly those from the South-East, should stop expecting fairness from any president.
Instead, he urged people from the region to focus on rebuilding and revitalizing their communities.
“It is high time we in the South-East stopped waiting for the federal government to prioritize our needs.
We must take the initiative to make our region more livable, cohesive, and prosperous.
Relying on external fairness has not served us well over the decades,” he said.
The senator also addressed the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed Prime Minister of Biafra in exile, in Finland.
Ekpa has been accused of instigating violence in the South-East from abroad, with his messages reportedly fueling unrest in the region.
Following his arrest, Ekpa reportedly denied being the so-called Prime Minister, further raising questions about his credibility.
Abaribe highlighted that Igbo leaders and communities have long condemned the actions of Ekpa and others like him, who, from the safety of foreign countries, issue directives that exacerbate violence at home.
He stressed that their influence has caused significant harm to the people of the South-East.
On the issue of violence in the region, Abaribe called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He argued that Kanu’s release would play a key role in de-escalating tensions, as many individuals currently causing chaos in Kanu’s name might cease their activities once he is freed.
“Kanu’s release is crucial. His prolonged detention has given room for others to exploit his name for personal or destructive purposes.
Letting him go will take away that excuse and could help restore calm to the South-East,” Abaribe stated.
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