Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, emphasized his commitment to respecting elders while responding to comments made by Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
Soyinka had recently stated that Obi was unfit to govern Nigeria and accused him of inciting his supporters to attack and insult him online.
During an interview on Arise Television’s News programme on Wednesday, Obi addressed the situation, saying,
“Well, quite frankly, I will not make any comment on that. Wole Soyinka is a father. I have a policy as a father: I don’t respond when my fathers talk. I leave it to them because when I become their age, I would want those other younger ones to respect me.
Though I would try to put myself in a position where I will respect myself before that.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the Democracy Day celebration, Obi reiterated his stance, stating that he has never, and will never, knowingly or unknowingly, ask his supporters, known as the ‘Obidients’, to speak against elders, religious leaders, or anyone else.
“I don’t make comments. It’s left for Nigerians to know whether I’m fit or not. I have been a successful businessman in the private sector. I have been in the corporate world, and I will say I am one of the most successful. I have also served in the state, and I ask those who attack to let us put our records and check them side by side.”
