Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken a direct swipe at former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, urging him to resolve the deepening crisis within his party before making divisive statements about Nigeria’s past leaders.
Akpabio made the comments during a heartfelt tribute session in honor of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, a founding figure of the Pan Niger Delta Forum. The Senate President was reacting to a controversial remark by Obi, who at a recent event suggested that the efforts of Nigeria’s former leaders had amounted to nothing.
Firing back, Akpabio described Obi’s comments as disrespectful and ill-informed, warning that those seeking the presidency must not exploit public platforms or social media to undermine national unity. According to Akpabio, true leadership begins with fostering peace, not promoting discord.
He stressed that the continued existence of Nigeria as a unified nation is a testament to the sacrifices of its founding fathers and past leaders, many of whom, he said, fought tirelessly to hold the country together in times of chaos and uncertainty. Drawing a contrast with nations that have fractured under political strain, Akpabio praised figures like Edwin Clark for their enduring legacies in preserving the soul of Nigeria.
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“Those who were not born when the real work of nation-building was being done often jump on social media to discredit our heroes,” Akpabio stated. “It is easy to criticize when you don’t understand the context or the cost of unity.”
In a final jab at Obi, the Senate President advised him to “put his house in order” and focus on resolving internal rifts within the Labour Party, which he referred to as one of the smallest political parties in Nigeria. “You can’t lead a nation when your own party is in turmoil,” Akpabio said.
His remarks have since sparked widespread reactions online, further fueling the ongoing political rivalry between members of the ruling class and the growing influence of opposition voices like Obi.
