The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has cautioned Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, against politicising philanthropic gestures. The warning follows Obi’s comment on a donation made by Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the First Lady, to the National Library during her birthday celebration.
State APC spokesperson Seye Oladejo noted that public institutions worldwide benefit from private donations and endowments, which complement government efforts in nation‑building. He stressed that such contributions should be encouraged because they reflect a shared responsibility for strengthening public institutions. Oladejo described the First Lady’s donation as a positive step in supporting education and national development and urged Nigerians to view it as a gesture of goodwill rather than through a political lens.
Obi had argued that Nigeria should not have to rely on birthday gifts to complete its National Library, a facility that has long been the subject of calls for completion to promote education and research. The donation by Senator Tinubu is seen as a significant contribution to that effort, illustrating how private support can supplement government resources and accelerate the development of public institutions.
The APC’s warning underscores the need for politicians to distinguish between philanthropic gestures and political actions. As Nigeria continues to develop its public institutions, private donations and public‑private partnerships will be crucial. The focus, Oladejo said, should remain on supporting education and national development rather than politicising individual actions, thereby helping the country strengthen its institutions and achieve its development goals.
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