Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South in the Nigerian Senate, has expressed his belief that the country would have been in a better position had Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate, won the 2023 presidential election. Abaribe shared this perspective during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program on Monday.
The senator criticized the current administration under President Bola Tinubu, particularly accusing it of fostering nepotism. He argued that such favoritism would have been absent if Peter Obi were in power, emphasizing Obi’s inclusive leadership style.
“If Peter Obi had won, Nigeria would probably be in a better state than it is today,” Abaribe stated.
“One major reason is that he would not have been as nepotistic as this government. It’s simply not in his nature. Peter Obi has always demonstrated a sense of fairness and empathy for all, irrespective of ethnicity or region.”
Abaribe specifically highlighted President Tinubu’s appointment of four ministers from Ogun State, describing it as a clear act of nepotism that undermines national unity.
The senator also touched on the situation in the South-East, urging the people of the region to take charge of their own development rather than relying solely on federal administrations to treat them fairly. He stressed that self-reliance and regional empowerment are crucial for progress.
In a related discussion, Abaribe commended the arrest of Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based separatist who claims to be the “Prime Minister of Biafra in exile.” He described the development as a positive step towards addressing the security challenges in the South-East.
Furthermore, Abaribe called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He argued that freeing Kanu would significantly reduce violence and unrest in the South-East, paving the way for a more peaceful region.
