A pro-democracy group, The Democratic Front (TDF), on Friday described former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, a war monger with his recent ‘let’s declare war’ speech in Awka, Anambra state few days to the ongoing nationwide protest.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mallam Danjuma Muhammad, and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo, the group noted that only an aggressor and ‘conflict entrepreneur’ would engage in public utterances calling for war as a solution whenever national issues arise.
The statement reads in part: “As democrats, we are disappointed at the sight of the viral video of Peter Obi, a two-term governor of Anambra State literally making a case for war at a recent event in Awka
“In that video, the Presidential candidate was clearly heard saying, ‘If we are at war, let us declare war. And everybody knows we are at war,’ which for us is not only inciting but unfortunate coming from an individual aspiring to lead a multi- ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious country like Nigeria.
“What we found confounding and distasteful is that he made that comment in a region that is still reeling from the effects of a bitter civil war, and has for years been volatile with the so-called unknown gunmen running rampage.
“We listened to a longer version of the speech, and we do not see why anyone should make allusion to war as a solution to national issues.
“Yes, Obi made reference to issues of governance but he also showed a glaring lack of understanding of issues with his incoherent speech anchored on a call to arm, which for us, is the hallmark of conflict predators.
“As a pro-democracy group, we agree that the country needs to be fixed, but we disagree with the notion of war when dialogue is always an option in every conflict.
“We remember the leaked audio of the 2023 presidential election eve phone conversation with Bishop David Oyedepo, in which Obi described the election as a ‘religious war’.
“With his recent call for ‘war’, Mr. Peter Obi has not only confirmed the general perception of his person as a War Monger, but also as an anti- Democrat.
“Only recently, one of Obi’s political associates and confidant, Kenneth Okwonkwo, described him as unfit to be elected as Nigeria’s President, due to his undemocratic posturing.
“A politician like Mr. Peter Obi who sees nothing wrong with calling for war in his quest to gain political power, cannot deny the allegations of instigating anarchy and regime change under the guise of peaceful protests.
“And because of his consistency in making inciting statements to heat-up the polity, we are compelled to conclude that Mr. Obi is a political alarmist and a war Monger, as against the Democrat he pretends to be.
“Nigerians who accused Mr. Peter Obi and his supporters of being the originators of the protests that have degenerated into looting, maiming, and arson in some parts of the country are vindicated by his continual allusion to war in other to advance his personal political ambition.
“We are therefore of the view that the Labour Party chieftain should learn to promote peace, harmony and tranquility in the country. And stop resorting to public incitement whenever his personal political ambition is challenged.”
TDF also urged politicians to learn to accept defeat in good faith and refrain from hateful and inciting speeches.
