Obi Claims Federal Government Is Fueling Division Within Labour Party

Speaking in an interview on Arise News Prime Time on Tuesday, Obi, the former governor of Anambra State, claimed that the unrest within the LP was being instigated by the government.

“The disarray in the LP is caused by the Federal Government. Yes, I am in the Labour Party. If anything changes, I will let you know,” Obi stated.

He further emphasized the importance of true democracy for the Nigerian political system to function effectively, regardless of whether it benefits the government. “If the government is democratic, all these things will work. You have to say you are democratic, practice it, and believe it, whether it works for you or not. What is happening in Nigeria can be turned around with a competent leader,” Obi added.

Obi did not hesitate to criticize the current administration, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s government of intimidating the opposition and claiming that Nigeria’s political environment is not conducive to the growth of opposition parties.

He specifically condemned the handling of the political situation in Rivers State, which resulted in a state of emergency declaration. “What happened in Rivers State was unfortunate as some people made the state ungovernable for political reasons and interests. The declaration of a state of emergency negatively impacts the little democracy we have,” Obi remarked.

He also highlighted the erosion of democratic freedoms in the country, noting the lack of a functional legislature and an independent judiciary. “There is no democracy without a functional legislature and an independent judiciary. There is no freedom of speech, as people are detained for what they say. I am also harassed every day,” Obi stated.

Comparing Nigeria’s political system with South Africa’s, Obi pointed out the absence of space for the opposition to thrive in Nigeria. “People say look at South Africa, they have a presidential system like ours. But the difference is they allow their opposition to thrive. There is proportional representation of the opposition in the legislature, which enables the opposition to grow.”

Obi called for constitutional reform, emphasizing the need for stricter party-switching regulations. “In those countries, you cannot cross from one party to another without consequences. You lose your seat if you do so. That’s why we want a change in the Constitution to build a viable system,” he said.

In conclusion, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to a true democracy, stating that if he were president, he would ensure an environment where the opposition could function freely and effectively.