By Akinwale Kasali
Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has lamented the pathetic state of the Nigerian Nation. He also blamed ethnic agitation as a product of failed leadership.
The former Anambra State Governor said that the absence justice, equity and fairness has plunged the Nation to its present sorry state. The narrative needs to be changed, he submitted
He spoke while fielding questions at the Chatham House, London, on Monday January 16, 2023.
Obi said he was not in support of ethnic agitators, but stated that it is important to address and identify the causes of their agitations and find a lasting solution to it.
Ajiboye Tunmise from Huddersfield University asked Obi about his alleged refusal to condemn the activities of members of the secessionist group, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. In his response, Obi said: “Many are not following me. Even yesterday, I spoke about Biafra being ended 53 years ago. It’s all over the place in the cyberspace.”
“I condemn all agitators, but in condemning them, you have to look at what brought about these agitations all over the place.
“Not only IPOB. We have (the) Yoruba Nation movement and all sorts. When you have created this level of massive poverty where 63 per cent of your population is poor, you’re going to create all sorts of problems,” Obi said.
He also stated that the unemployment rate in the country added to the ethnic agitations being experienced, noting that all was a cumulative effect of leadership failure over the years.
“I was speaking to a British Minister this morning that we have about 40 per cent unemployment (rate) and about 60 per cent youth unemployment (rate), young people in their productive ages doing nothing. If you have 15 per cent unemployment rate in Britain today, you’re going to have massive agitation. Nobody will be able to leave his house.
“So, what you’re seeing is a cumulative effect of leadership failure over the years which will be solved by good governance; when people start seeing justice, fairness and inclusive government and doing the right things, all those things will start reversing themselves. And that is what I and Datti (Baba Ahmed) are offering,” he said.
Obi added that he would engage all agitators in the country, insisting that there was nothing wrong with that approach to resolve the issue.
“I will talk and discuss with agitators, and there’s nothing wrong in that. People agitate in my house and I talk with them,” he stated.
