The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has weighed in on the raging power tussle in Rivers State and urged the warring leaders to think about the poor in the state.
In a lengthy tweet on Tuesday regarding the crisis, Obi noted that the situation in Rivers is an example of how not to use democracy to serve the people.
Obi said it was unfortunate that 60 years after independence and nearly 30 years of the country’s unbroken civil rule, democracy is still marred by undemocratic practices and values.
The former Anambra State governor noted that a significant percentage of Nigeria’s elections are deeply flawed and manipulated to serve the interests of a select few rather than reflecting the true will of the people.
“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!”
