Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the February 25 election, has called on the Federal Government to refrain from meddling in the internal affairs of states, especially when national security is not at risk. In his 2024 New Year message on Sunday, Obi stressed the importance of keeping Nigerian politics out of the hands of transactional politicians.
This appeal follows recent criticism by elders in Rivers State regarding Bola Tinubu’s involvement in the political dispute between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the state Governor, Sim Fubara. The elders, led by former Rivers State Governor Rufus Ada-George, declared the presidential resolution on the state’s political crisis as biased and unimplementable due to its violation of the rule of law. They also criticized Governor Fubara’s Christmas Day broadcast, interpreting it as a death sentence.
Obi emphasized the need for respecting the constitutional rights of the three arms of government and urged Nigerians to resist any attempt to transform the nation into a one-party state. He highlighted the threat to democracy posed by undermining national institutions and the capture of state affairs and resources by a few individuals and private interests.
In a democratic and secular country like Nigeria, Obi called for full respect for the separation of powers between the three independent arms of government and among the federating units. He specifically called on the National Assembly to diligently perform its functions, citing the importance of scrutinizing the 2024 budget for the nation’s well-being.
Obi concluded by stating the Labour Party’s commitment to remaining in opposition for the sake of a New Nigeria, emphasizing the collective role in nation-building. In their New Year message, LP candidates expressed gratitude to Nigerians, the Obidient Movement, and supporters for their dedication to true democracy.