In a Twitter space discussion that drew a staggering 178,000 listeners, Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, shared insightful perspectives on various issues. Here are major takeaways from the engaging conversation:
- National Election Victory Claims:
- Quote: “I won the election not just in Lagos and Ebonyi, I won the elections in Nigeria.”
- Commentary: Peter Obi asserted his victory across Nigeria, refuting challenges to his election.
- Response to Godswill Akpabio’s Comments:
- Quote: “The Senate President is an uncommon person, I don’t deal with uncommon people, I deal with common people… When uncommon people talk, common people keep quiet”. If not for Nigeria being an uncommon place we all know what happened.”
- Commentary: Obi dismissed Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s comments claiming that Obi did not win the presidential election in Lagos and Ebonyi States, insisting the election was rigged in those places. He asserted that his focus is on addressing common people’s concerns.
- Judicial Importance:
- Quote: “You can have a bad leader or a bad legislator, to have a bad judge is an existential threat to Nigeria. People do not stay where there is no rule of law, it is the main engine of growth.”
- Commentary: Obi stressed the critical role of judges, considering them a fundamental pillar for Nigeria’s growth.
- Resilience Amid Challenges:
- Quote: “I know the pains of being out when I can be in. People, telling me to look away or else they’d destroy me. But I am not fazed by all of those.”
- Commentary: Obi shared his resilience despite challenges and threats, highlighting his commitment to the right path.
- Rejecting Mind-Blowing Offers:
- Quote: I’ve been getting mind-blowing offers for which I said no, and because I said no the threats I’m getting are frightening. I’m not afraid to die. I have made my impact. I’m not going to do the wrong thing because of my condition. I will always be on the right path”
- Commentary: Obi disclosed rejecting tempting offers and emphasized his commitment to ethical choices.
- Encouraging Unity and Sacrifice:
- Quote: “I’m kneeling down and begging you, don’t get disillusioned. That is what they want to achieve. They want you to get disillusioned and walk away. This is the time for us to stay together, and sacrifice more. We will stay together and dismantle this criminality.”
- Commentary: Obi urged unity and sacrifice from his supporters to combat prevailing challenges.
- Harassment Due to Advocacy:
- Quote: If I tell you what I go through daily, you will be surprised. Every single day, I am going through one harassment, one intimidation or the other because of our struggle for a better Nigeria.”
- Commentary: Obi revealed daily harassment, attributing it to his advocacy for a better Nigeria.
- Foreign Investors and Rule of Law:
- Quote: “ Nobody serious goes around looking for Foreign investors. It is like Bee and Honey, Foreign investors only stay where there is rule of law; not a society governed by rascality.”
- Commentary: Obi linked the presence of foreign investors to a society governed by the rule of law.
- Transactional Promises for Campaign Funding:
- Quote: “We are going to support your campaign and your election but you’re gonna do this…” Peter Obi’s Reply: “Wait a minute here, you’re talking about my country. What will I go to the Commonwealth to say?”
- Commentary: Obi highlighted ethical concerns regarding campaign funding.
- Call for Unity and Persistence:
- Quote: “Do not be discouraged, that is what they want” If you know what I am going through, you ask me, why am I doing this? Every day I receive one form of harassment or the other.”
- Commentary: Obi urged perseverance and collective effort to counter divisive agendas.
- Twitter Harassment and Thankfulness:
- Quote: “When I tweet now, they have hired group of people they are paying … One of them told me how much they are paid, how many of them have been paid and they are all young people … For me I’m fine, I’m healthy and I have nothing to worry about, I thank God for it”
- Commentary: Obi addressed the hiring of individuals to harass him on Twitter, expressing gratitude for his well-being amid such challenges
Peter Obi’s Twitter space revealed his candid thoughts on diverse issues, providing followers with unique insights into his perspectives and principles.
