In a proverb often heard in Yoruba culture, it is said, “the worm that eats the tree, lives on the tree.” This adage speaks to the challenges of having enemies who know you well. In the world of politics, this sentiment is all too familiar, as demonstrated by recent events.
The faction of the Labour Party led by Lamidi Apapa extended their congratulations to President Bola Tinubu following his victory in the Supreme Court. However, their congratulations were laced with mockery directed at their own presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who had filed a petition that was summarily dismissed by the justices in a mere 120 minutes. This situation raises questions about the leadership within the Labour Party and whether someone with such a track record should continue to lead.
The Supreme Court’s decision on Thursday saw the dismissal of appeals filed by Peter Obi and his Peoples Democratic Party counterpart, Atiku Abubakar, challenging Tinubu’s election. In response to these developments, Abayomi Arabambi, the spokesperson for the LP faction, expressed that Tinubu’s victory was well-deserved.
Arabambi urged President Tinubu to exhibit magnanimity in victory and invited the Labour Party to join hands with the government in fostering national unity and progress. He also called upon the losing candidates, especially PDP’s Atiku, to demonstrate patriotism and embrace the democratic process, emphasizing that the government serves the entire nation.
While acknowledging Atiku’s strong case, the Apapa faction did not spare criticism for Peter Obi, labeling him as one of the poorest candidates the party has ever fielded. They emphasized that the Supreme Court swiftly dismissed all the grounds of appeal presented by Obi, stating that this outcome vindicated the stance of Lamidi Apapa regarding Obi’s role as the party’s presidential candidate.
The beauty of democracy, the faction noted, lies in the division it creates among its citizens, distinguishing between winners and losers. Even though Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar did not emerge victorious, their efforts were recognized.
In response to these comments, the spokesman for the Obi-Datti Campaign Council, Yunusa Tanko, pointed out that the Apapa faction had every right to express their support and congratulations as they saw fit.
In the end, the contentious landscape of Nigerian politics and the recent Supreme Court decision highlight the ongoing struggle for power and the intricacies of leadership within the Labour Party, as well as the enduring relevance of key political figures like Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar in the nation’s democracy.
