The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Thursday criticized Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for what he described as disrespectful remarks about Nigeria’s past heroes.
Akpabio made the remarks during a valedictory session in honour of the late elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark.
His response came less than 24 hours after Obi, while paying tribute to Clark, suggested that the sacrifices of Nigeria’s past heroes had been in vain due to the country’s persistent challenges, particularly its economic struggles.
“Chief Clark lived a life of courage, sacrifice, and justice,” Obi said. “But we must ask ourselves: why do we continue to say the labours of our heroes past should not be in vain, when clearly they have been? Their sacrifices have amounted to nothing.”
He also questioned the perceived silence of activists and citizens in the face of worsening economic conditions, drawing comparisons with past protests during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
In his rebuttal, Akpabio accused Obi of being preoccupied with his presidential ambition while failing to address internal issues within his own party.
“If you cannot resolve the crisis within the Labour Party, how do you plan to resolve Boko Haram’s crisis in Nigeria?” Akpabio asked. “We should be remembered for what we accomplished when we had the opportunity.”
He went on to highlight his achievements as a former governor, including road construction, digital infrastructure, free education, and religious outreach programs. Akpabio concluded by criticizing what he called the divisive use of social media by political figures.
“Those aspiring to lead Nigeria should first fix their political parties before seeking to govern the nation,” he added.