Peter Obi: Obasanjo Should Be In Jail, Not Endorsing A Candidate – Nwapa

A revolutionary activist, Francis Nwapa, has thrown shades at former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, over his public support for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to win the 2023 election.

According to Nwapa, the former Nigerian leader should be in jail now rather than going about canvassing support for the former Governor of Anambra State.

The activist described Obi as middle-class politician, saying the thought that Obasanjo presented late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari and now is associated to the candidate of the Labour Party has a lot to say about the past present and future woes of Nigerians.

Nwapa it becomes important that for Nigerians both rich and poor to rise and reject the All Progressives Congress (APC); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and LP presidential candidates at the ballot.

Naija News understands that the activist said this while reacting to the war of words between Nigerian entertainers, Seun Kuti and Peter Okoye of P-Square (Mr P).

Seun, the youngest son of the legendary Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Kuti and Okoye had engaged each other on social media lately, over choice of presidential candidate.

During an interview earlier, Seun described Labour Party presidential candidate as an opportunist and internet favourite who cannot solve the problems of Nigeria if elected president in the next election.

He further said Obi cannot claim to be ready to solve Nigeria’s problems just because he “jumped” to the Labour Party 18 months before the elections after losing at the PDP presidential primary election.

In a swift reaction, Mr P lampooned Seun, describing his statement as a shameful. He said: “Dude just erased his fathers History.”

He described the Kutis’ African Shrine as “a local shrine.” 

Naija News reports that the argument between the duo has generated even more controversies between their fans and concerned Nigerians.

In a statement, however, on Friday, Nwapa waded into the argument saying 46 years after the invasion of Fela Kuti’s African Shrine on Obasanjo’s order, history would never be fair on Peter Okoye and promoters of what he called neoliberal politicians, saying Fela’s African Shrine was a home for all Africans and Caribbeans.

The full statement reads: “The New African Shrine established by Femi Kuti, the son of the legendary King of Afro Music Fela Anikulapo-Kuti an African Revolutionary Activist, in honour of his memories, is a home for Africans, Caribbeans, non-Africans and most importantly, Revolutionaries and great thinkers.

“On February 18, 1977, the African Shrine which was then located at 14a, Agege Motor Road, Mushin was attacked by 1000 soldiers on the order of the despotic Military Head of State Olusegun Obasanjo. This invasion led to the throwing through the window of the Revolutionary Mother of Fela, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, which later led to her death.

“Aside from the unjustifiable invasion of Africa shrine, several atrocities are documented to have been committed by Obasanjo while in Power. For example, on October 22 2001, when soldiers from the 23rd armoured brigade of the 3rd armoured division of the Nigerian army rounded up residents in Gbeji village for a “meeting,” made them sit on the ground, separated the men from the others, and then opened fire upon the men indiscriminately. Witnesses reported that some of the victims’ bodies were then set ablaze.

“Further killings took place as soldiers invaded the villages of Vasae, Anyiin Iorja, Ugba, Sankera and Zaki-Biam, all located in the two local government areas of Logo and Zaki-Biam. In the following two days, there was widespread destruction of property and buildings in these villages after terrified residents had abandoned their homes. Over 200 civilians were killed on the order of Obasanjo.

“Again, on November 20, 1999, the Nigerian military, acting on the orders of then President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, invaded Odi, a predominantly Ijaw community in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, and wreaked monumental havoc on the community over 2500 civilians were slaughtered.

“The matter became a matter of litigation, and N37.6bn damages was awarded in favour of the community against the government by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt. In 2014, the Federal Government reached an agreement with the community, and N15bn was eventually paid.

“Obasanjo should be in jail not a person to recommend criminal bourgeois politicians for Nigerians. The thought that such a character presented Yar’Adua/Jonathan, Buhari, and now is associated with Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party has a lot to say about the past, present and future woes of Nigerians and the need for the working class and poor to rise now and reject the APC, PDP, LP presidential candidates at the ballot,” Nwapa reiterated.