Obi played to the gallery when he said democracy has collapsed in Nigeria

 

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Presidency has reacted to statement credited to Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, when he said that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria.

Peter Obi made the statement while speaking at Chief Emeka Ihedioha’s  colloquium.  Reacting to the statement,  Special Adviser to the President on Media, Mr. Bayo Onanuga described Obi to be playing to the gallery.

He is of the view that but for democracy, Mr. Obi would not have been able to make the statement credited to him and that the said statements were made without deep reflection and solid foundation.

“ I listened multiple times to former Governor Peter Obi’s statement in this clip, where he claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria.

“His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation. How can a democracy that has strengthened over the past 26 years be said to have collapsed?

“ Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who benefits from the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens. If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime antithetical to democratic principles, he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday at Emeka Ihedioha’s colloquium.

“ I will urge him to watch what he says and restrain himself from playing to the gallery.