• Peter Obi Reveals Stand On IPOB’s Operations.
• Says IPOB, other groups should be engaged, not repressed.
• Warns against state of emergency in Rivers, urges constitutional process.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called for national agitations, including those associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to be addressed through dialogue rather than repression.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that speaking during an interview on Arise News on Monday, Obi reaffirmed his stance that violent suppression is not the solution to growing dissent across regions. “I criticise every single act that is wrong, whether it’s in the East, West, or South,” he said, stressing that democratic engagement and constructive conversations offer the most sustainable path forward.
Responding to criticism that he has been lenient on IPOB-related issues, Obi clarified that his consistent advocacy for dialogue stems from a belief in democratic values. “Any agitator, I will discuss with. There’s nothing wrong in agitation… I’ll sit down and discuss with them,” he stated.
Drawing an analogy with family life, Obi explained, “I have children who disagree with me, and I invite them to talk. Why don’t we do the same with our people?”
Obi also cautioned against the growing trend of interpreting civility as weakness in Nigeria. “We’ve become radical in our approach and now think bad behaviour makes one strong. No, it kills the system,” he said. “Good behaviour and character are now seen as weakness. That is wrong.”
On the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, Obi condemned suggestions of declaring a state of emergency, warning that such measures undermine Nigeria’s democratic process. He argued that all political disputes must be resolved within the framework of law and the constitution.
“You cannot, under any circumstances, solve a problem in a democratic setting by going against the rules. There’s a process,” he emphasised.
Obi’s comments come amid increasing tension in parts of the country, where security operations and political infighting have raised concerns about democratic backsliding.
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