Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports
Mr Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, lamented yesterday that Nigeria is in disarray because Nigerians are afraid to speak truth to power.
As a result, Obi challenged Nigerians to always speak the truth, no matter the consequences.
Yesterday, the Labour Party (LP) condemned what it called coordinated attacks on its peace-loving supporters in some federation states.
During a condolence visit to Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, the LP Presidential candidate backed the governor’s decision to arm the Amotekun Corps, saying the governor must continue to do his best to protect his people.
While consoling the governor on the death of his mother, Grace Akeredolu, Obi also commiserated with him on the tragic incident at St Francis Catholic Church in Owo, which killed 41 people and injured several others.
“Things are going wrong in the country because people prefer to remain silent,” he says, “but I want to commend Governor Akeredolu for always speaking up for the people.”
“I urge you to keep going in that direction.” You represent one of the qualities that Nigerians seek: the ability to speak the truth regardless of the consequences.
“What Nigeria lacks is the willingness to remain silent when things go wrong.” You have a man here who always speaks up when things go wrong, and I urge you to use him to continue.
“Governor Akeredolu represents what Nigerians desire at this present time. You always speak the truth no matter whose ox is gored.
“Arm those special security people. Take every step to protect your people. It is important and it is your duty.
“I’m happy that you are speaking out always when necessary.”
In his response, Governor Akeredolu appreciated Obi and his entourage for finding time to visit him.
On the death of his mother, the governor said she would surely be missed even though she left at the ripe age of 90 years.
Attacks on our supporters must stop —LP
Meanwhile, the LP while calling on security agencies to rise to their responsibilities said it would no longer tolerate such barbaric behaviour.
Mr Arabambi Abayomi, its National Publicity Secretary, said over the phone: “We note with sadness the mercilessly coordinated attack by the military wing of the All Progressive Congress, APC, in Kastina State on the peace-loving Obedient political movement supporters of Mr Peter Obi.”
“Unfortunately, with this heinous behavior, it is becoming clear that the APC has officially adopted violent attacks on LP’s Presidential Candidate support groups across the country.”
“LP finds this trend intolerable and condemns the APC’s growing terrorism in virtually all APC-controlled states across the country.”
“While we condemn all forms of violence, we want to emphasize that no political party has a monopoly on crude and organized violence.”
“One simply hopes that the security agencies will not appear helpless as this chain of planned and choreographed violence is visited relentlessly on the LP Presidential support groups across the country under the APC.”
