Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential contender, has offered his thoughts on the fierce struggle for control of Rivers State and asked the rival leaders to consider the state’s impoverished citizens.
“The situation in Rivers is an example of how not to use democracy to serve the people,” Obi wrote in a lengthy tweet about the turmoil on Tuesday.
According to Obi, it is regrettable that undemocratic practices and values continue to taint democracy 60 years after the country’s independence and nearly 30 years of uninterrupted civil governance.
A substantial portion of Nigeria’s elections, according to the former governor of Anambra State, are seriously faulty and rigged to benefit a small number of people rather than representing the actual will of the populace.
“Governance at most levels does not reflect the genuine values and aspirations of the people because the welfare of the citizens is often neglected in practice,” he said.
“Looking at the ongoing crisis in Rivers State, we see yet another glaring example of how our democracy and governance are not serving their purpose—the welfare of the people of Rivers State. The disagreement is not about improving the measurable indices of development: education, healthcare, or lifting people out of poverty, but rather for reasons that do not in any way benefit the people of Rivers State and Nigeria in general.
“I fully understand the impact of what is happening in Rivers State. The real losers are the people—their welfare and the future of the society their children will live in.
“My respectful appeal to all those involved is to reconsider their positions and reflect on the grace God has bestowed upon them as leaders. They must think about the suffering people of Rivers State and work towards a better future for their children.
“My commitment remains to continuously remember them in earnest prayers and to advocate for their well-being. I also appeal to well-meaning Nigerians and the Federal Government, in the spirit of true democracy and good governance, to use their offices to restore normalcy and bring an end to this crisis. A new Nigeria is POssible!”
