Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed strong disapproval of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Rivers State political crisis, as well as the sexual harassment allegations currently rocking the Senate.
Obi described the court’s verdict as reckless, warning that it could threaten Nigeria’s democracy.
The Supreme Court had ruled that Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration would only receive funds when a legally recognized Appropriation Law was passed under Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
Additionally, the ruling reinstated the 27 lawmakers who had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), allowing them to resume legislative duties.
He urged political leaders to focus on governance rather than actions that could destabilize state governments.
Obi also reacted to allegations of sexual harassment in the Senate. Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, recently accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of victimizing her and denying her privileges after she allegedly rejected his advances.
Lamenting Nigeria’s current political climate, Obi said the country’s leaders had shifted attention from crucial national issues to unnecessary distractions.
He noted that despite severe economic hardship, insecurity, and poor governance, political leaders appeared more focused on personal and partisan disputes.
“It is deeply troubling that Nigeria’s political leadership is rapidly descending into an embarrassing spectacle,” Obi said.
“At a time when our nation is experiencing the highest levels of poverty, soaring infant mortality rates, and millions of out-of-school children, our leaders should be focusing on providing urgent solutions to these problems.”
Obi criticized all three arms of government, stating that they had failed to inspire confidence in Nigerians.
He cited the executive branch’s abuse of power in Osun State, the judiciary’s controversial ruling on Rivers State, and the ongoing scandal in the National Assembly as evidence of poor leadership.
“The reckless neglect of governance is a grave disservice to Nigerians,” he added.
“The political rascality and irregularities we are witnessing paint a picture of leaders who have abandoned their responsibilities and turned governance into a theatrical performance rather than a serious commitment to public service.”
He called on political leaders to avoid undue interference in state affairs and work toward strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Obi also warned against self-serving political defections and electoral manipulation, emphasizing that such actions weaken democracy.
Full Statement reads;
“Too much attention on frivolities as Poverty deepens is concerning.
It is deeply troubling that Nigeria’s political leadership is rapidly descending into an embarrassing spectacle.
We are at a time when our nation faces the highest levels of actual and multidimensional poverty, soaring infant mortality rates, millions of out-of-school children, one of the most insecure and hunger-stricken nations on earth, grappling with escalating insecurity and countless other challenges.
One would expect our leaders to be focusing and sacrificing solely on providing urgent, transformative solutions to this myriad of problems but not necessarily .
Instead, the national discourse is consumed by trivialities, whether it is allegations of sexual harassment or budget padding in the National Assembly, controversies surrounding State Houses of Assembly speakership, reckless Court judgments threatening to destabilize or deprive the State of funding to provide needed services to the citizens.
What is coming out of the three arms of government, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary is disgusting and uninspiring. The Executive show of negative power as seen in Osun state, the reckless Judiciary pronouncement on Rivers State that is capable of threatening democracy plus the embarrassing scandal from the National Assembly all combine to give a gloomy picture of our democratic journey.
Leaders in these three arms should avoid undue disruptive interference in affairs of sub-national government activities.
Urgent steps should be taken by the leadership of the three arms to stabilize our polity and stem politicians from defecting to parties where they feel it will be easier to rig them into office.
This reckless neglect of serious governance is a grave disservice to the millions of Nigerians who deserve competent, accountable leadership focused on solving real problems.
The blatant display of political rascality, coupled with widespread irregularities, paints a distressing picture of a leadership that has abandoned its core responsibility to the people and is making governance resemble a theatrical performance rather than a serious commitment to public service.
While citizens bear the crushing weight of various hardships due to misgovernance, those in power prioritize personal interests and political gamesmanship over the nation’s well-being.
This mockery of leadership is not only unacceptable, it is a betrayal of the people’s trust.
Nigeria cannot afford to be governed like a reality TV show while millions suffer for so long. It is time for leadership rooted in character, competence, capacity, consistency, compassion, and urgency—leadership that prioritizes education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
Anything less threatens the nation’s stability, undermines the present, and betrays the nation’s future.
A new Nigeria is POssible! -PO”