In a rare rebook of the political class in Nigeria, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, on Sunday profusely berated the Nigerian political class describing them as “mad people” and “the worst” of the population who are “leading” the rest of the people.
He made this explosive comments in the Nigerian capital, Abuja while addressing a religious audience in a program organized by the Revival House of International Church (RHOGIC), tagged the ‘Men of Valour’.
The conference was held on Sunday with the theme ‘Navigating the Corridors of Power, the Church, and the Politics’.
The former two-term governor of Anambra State, and now the LP flagbearer for the February 2023 presidential election did not mince words in doing justice to the theme of the conference.
Mr. Obi maintained with vivid description how “Mad people have taken over our politics” in Nigeria, while likening the nature of politics in the country to the anarchy in an “asylum”.
The soft talking former governor who described himself as a trader who gradually came into politics therefore, charged Nigerians to take back their country from the mad people who have taking over the political space in the country.
He also allayed the fears of those who may have questions about whether his political party, the Labour Party has the requisite capacity to win the presidential election.
On this he said:
“It is about the people. When I contested as governor in Anambra, I did so in a small party. People told me that I had no structure. People are the structure. When I was a governor in Anambra, my party had no state or federal lawmaker,”
He therefore, reminded the people why they must realize that power lies with them, and that the people are the true structures that win elections and not the political parties.
NOTABLE QUOTES
“We can’t allow this gangsterism to continue, Nigerians should take back their country. Seventy percent of those who are in politics today should not have any reason to be there. I have said it, politics in Nigeria is a case where lunatics have taken over the asylum,” he said.
“This is the only country where the worst is leading. I was a trader and gradually entered into politics. When you take far more than you need, you are sick.
“How do you explain that one person took N80 billion? It is not greed; it is sickness. When you take N1 billion, that is greed, but when you take N80 billion, that is sickness. Mad people have taken over our politics.
“If we get young people with the competence and capacity to be there, things will change.”
“It is about the people. When I contested as governor in Anambra, I did so in a small party. People told me that I had no structure. People are the structure. When I was a governor in Anambra, my party had no state or federal lawmaker,” he said.
“When I left as governor, no state was financially stable as Anambra. We were not owing anybody. The people will decide who will rule them. Luckily, we have eight months. Let people come and tell you how they have started. Come and tell us; don’t use people or glossy paper. Tell us from your mouth so that we can hold you to account.”
