Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday launched a scathing criticism of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, urging him to address the protracted leadership crisis plaguing his party before aspiring to govern Nigeria. Speaking during a valedictory session in honour of late elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark, Akpabio did not mince words as he challenged Obi’s leadership credentials.
“If you cannot even resolve the crisis in that Labour Party, is it the crisis of Boko Haram that you will come and resolve in Nigeria?” Akpabio asked pointedly, drawing murmurs and laughter from fellow senators and guests. He accused Obi of prioritising national political commentary while neglecting the internal fractures weakening his political platform, adding, “Those who are aspiring as presidential candidates should stop using social media to sow division. Tell them to fix the small party they have before dreaming of governing the entire country.”
Akpabio’s comments were widely interpreted as a direct response to Obi’s increasing criticisms of the current administration and his vocal interventions on national issues, which the Senate President suggested lacked the necessary grounding in effective party management.
Akpabio Defends Record, Highlights Leadership Achievements
In further contrasting his leadership with Obi’s, Akpabio highlighted his achievements during his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State, listing infrastructural and social development milestones. “I can tell you about the dualised roads in my city, the international hospitals, free and compulsory education, and the unity I brought by sponsoring thousands to Jerusalem and Mecca,” Akpabio declared proudly.
According to Akpabio, effective national leadership begins with demonstrating capacity at smaller levels of governance, a trait he implied Obi lacked. “Let those who want to rule Nigeria start by fixing what’s in their hands,” he said. His remarks were met with applause from sections of the audience, though others interpreted them as an escalation of political tensions between the ruling party and opposition figures.
Political analysts have noted that Akpabio’s remarks signal a broader strategy by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to challenge Obi’s rising popularity, especially among young voters disillusioned with the status quo.
Obi Laments Nigeria’s Worsening State at Clark’s Tribute
Akpabio’s criticisms were provoked by Obi’s speech a day earlier at the same event, where the former Anambra governor lamented that the sacrifices of Nigeria’s founding heroes had been squandered. “We say the labour of our heroes past should not be in vain, but it is,” Obi said solemnly, citing worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and political disillusionment.
Obi drew attention to the irony of past protests against fuel price increases under former President Goodluck Jonathan, contrasting them with the current silence despite soaring fuel prices. “People protested fuel price hikes under Jonathan; now that fuel is N900, they are silent,” Obi remarked, pointing to what he described as a worrying erosion of civic engagement and accountability.
His comments were seen as a thinly veiled criticism of both the APC-led government and sections of the political elite whom he accused of failing to uphold the values of the country’s founding fathers.
Edo Governor Joins Criticism, Defends State’s Election Integrity
In a related development, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo also took a swipe at Peter Obi, condemning his recent comments questioning the credibility of the upcoming September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo. Through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo described Obi’s remarks as “unfounded and disrespectful.”
“The election in Edo will be conducted under the highest standards of transparency and fairness,” the statement asserted. “Mr. Obi’s comments are baseless and appear to be politically motivated.” Okpebholo warned that attempts to undermine public confidence in the electoral process were dangerous and irresponsible. “We urge him to respect the mandate given by Edo people and contribute positively to democratic discourse, not undermine it,” the statement added.
The governor cautioned that peace and stability in Edo State must not be jeopardised by what he termed “reckless and divisive rhetoric,” signalling a zero-tolerance stance against political actors casting aspersions on the integrity of the state’s electoral processes.
Political Implications and Reactions Across Party Lines
Akpabio’s remarks have sparked mixed reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape. While APC loyalists and some centrist voices praised the Senate President for “telling uncomfortable truths,” supporters of Peter Obi and the Labour Party accused Akpabio of deflecting from pressing national issues with political jabs.
Political commentators observed that the clash reflects deepening rivalries ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Obi seen as a formidable challenger despite his party’s internal disputes. “This is not just a personal attack; it’s a strategic move to delegitimise Obi’s reformist appeal by focusing on perceived weaknesses in his political base,” said Dr. Chika Eze, a political analyst at the University of Lagos.
Meanwhile, Labour Party insiders downplayed Akpabio’s criticisms, arguing that internal disagreements were normal in any growing political movement. “We’re a young party challenging entrenched systems; it’s expected that we’ll face both internal and external challenges,” a senior party official who preferred anonymity told this paper. “But we’re stronger than they think.”
As Nigeria’s political temperature rises, analysts predict that the verbal exchanges between leading political figures like Akpabio and Obi may become a recurring feature in the months ahead, shaping narratives ahead of key electoral contests.
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