Peter Obi’s penchant for politicising national tragedy

Peter Obi’s penchant for politicising national tragedy

 By Otega Ogra

Without mincing words, it is regrettable that Peter Obi, a former
presidential candidate and ex-governor — whose own so-called ‘leadership’
record is permanently stained by one of Nigeria’s darkest chapters of police
brutality under the disbanded Akwuzu SARS — seeks to lecture others on
leadership and how to handle a tragedy.

This is a man who presided over
the systematic suppression and marginalisation of minorities, be they
political, religious, and/or ethnic, and who once aligned with those who sought
to undermine Nigeria’s democracy during the dark military years.

The tragedy in Benue (another one
in a long list of decades-long skirmishes that continue to burden that region)
is deeply painful and saddens all genuine Nigerians, and Mr President is giving
it all the attention and seriousness it deserves.

As we speak, the chief of army
staff has relocated to the affected zone on the directive of his
commander-in-chief. Internal security apparatus and intelligence agencies have
been fully activated and deployed. Mr President has given marching orders to
his NATSEC apparatus, and he has also advised the chief executive of the state
on what to do.

President Bola Tinubu visited
Benue on Wednesday and has remained in constant briefings and debriefings with
security chiefs, the governor of Benue, and other critical stakeholders.

As a former chief executive of a
state, Obi should know that security incidents differ in context, complexity,
and causes. Each is, and must always be, addressed with the urgency and
discretion it deserves.

As President Bola Tinubu said,
“enough is now enough”. We cannot continue to politicise human suffering or
perform grief for applause. What happened in Benue is a national tragedy. Lives
were lost. President Tinubu is fully committed to ensuring accountability,
justice, and a long-term resolution to the root causes of violence in that
region, God-willing.

In cases like this, it would be
wise to be more circumspect, empathise with the victims of the tragedy, or, better
still, heed the counsel of sages across history that, “you do not preach in
white nor play politics with the tragedy and pain of others especially your
record is written in lies and blood.”

Please show leadership in your
conduct, sir.

A couple of years ago, President
Tinubu famously advised then President Jonathan that the ‘bulk’ (not ‘buck’ in
this instance but ‘bulk’ as in most of the work) stops on his table with
respect to national security. That opinion has not changed, hence his
application of all necessary means from intelligence to internal security,
stakeholder engagement amongst others, in finding a solution to this perennial
crisis

Nigeria will succeed.

 

Otega ‘The Tiger’ Ogra is the senior special assistant to the
president on digital communication and strategy

 

Source: Peter Obi’s penchant for politicising national tragedy

 - NigerianEye
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