Peter Obi has accused the Tinubu-led government of fueling the leadership crisis in the Labour Party to destabilize opposition.
He warns that propaganda and manipulation threaten Nigeria’s democracy.
Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of deliberately engineering and sustaining the internal crisis currently rocking the party. Obi made these claims during a live interview on “The Morning Show” aired by Arise Television on Monday, where he expressed strong discontent over the growing instability within the Labour Party and what he described as the unhealthy interference of the ruling government in opposition affairs.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, stated that the ongoing leadership tussle within the Labour Party was not a result of internal discord but rather an orchestrated strategy by the federal government to weaken the party’s credibility and unity. He described the situation as a calculated move meant to distract the opposition and diminish its influence on national discourse.
“This is what you always get in Nigeria today. We now live in a country ruled by propaganda and lies – and they manufacture it,” Obi remarked. “The crisis within the Labour Party is not organic; it is instigated and continually fueled by the government in power.”
Obi pointed to a series of events that he believes underscore the external manipulation of the party’s affairs. He referenced public statements made by certain Labour Party officials, including the party’s national chairman, which he described as highly unprofessional and politically motivated. One notable incident involved disparaging remarks directed at a sitting governor elected under the Labour Party’s banner a move Obi interpreted as clear evidence of infiltration and division sowed by external forces.
According to Obi, such actions go beyond political disagreements and reflect a larger scheme aimed at discrediting the Labour Party and silencing alternative voices in Nigeria’s democracy. “It’s not about me. They may say I’m weak, fine let’s agree I’m weak. But is everyone else in the party weak too?” he asked rhetorically, highlighting that the challenges facing the party are systemic and not just about individual leadership.
The 2023 presidential hopeful also voiced concern over what he sees as a broader trend in Nigerian politics the normalization of propaganda, dishonesty, and divisiveness. He warned that such a political culture poses a threat not only to parties like Labour but to the stability and integrity of the entire country.
“They are trying to create problems everywhere even within families,” Obi said. He lamented that speaking truthfully and objectively in the current political climate often results in backlash, accusations, and character assassination. According to him, the deliberate attempt to control political narratives and discredit dissenting voices is undermining democracy and eroding public trust.
Obi’s comments come at a time when the Labour Party has been embroiled in a leadership dispute that has led to conflicting statements from party officials and a loss of direction in some quarters. Many observers have noted the party’s weakened state since the 2023 elections, with infighting and conflicting loyalties threatening to derail its momentum.
Despite the challenges, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Labour Party and promoting issue-based politics. He called on Nigerians to remain vigilant, resist manipulation, and continue to demand accountability from those in power.
As the political climate in Nigeria continues to intensify ahead of future elections, Obi’s remarks highlight the growing tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, and the battle for political relevance in an increasingly polarized environment.
