Tempers are rising in the Southeastern part of the country following revelations that some political leaders and elites from the zone are hell-bent on working against the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi.
The political atmosphere became even more apprehensive within the week following the outburst by Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State against Obi.
Recall that Governor Soludo, within the week, tackled Obi, saying he couldn’t win the forthcoming presidential election.
In a lengthy statement, Governor Soludo alleged that Obi was only playing a game.
While also throwing shade at Obi’s claim of making huge savings for Anambra State during his tenure, Soludo also said that governments exist to save lives and not to save money.
Part of his statement read, “Let’s be clear: Peter Obi knows that he can’t and won’t win.
“He knows the game he is playing, and we know too, and he knows that we know. Everyone knows that he is going nowhere, but they are looking for who to blame.”
Soludo’s verbal tirade has been met with anger, with many describing the former as the worst enemy of Ndigbo and the New Nigeria project.
They accused him of being envious of the surging acceptability and rising political profile of the LP presidential candidate, insisting Ndigbo and most Nigerians are united on his presidential bid.
In a statement made available to DAILY POST on Tuesday by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, he described Soludo as a dog in the manger enrolled to discredit Obi’s legacies.
The Ohanaeze scribe further added that “Ndigbo has dragged Governor Soludo to the two famous divinities and deities (Chokoleze in Mbaise and Ubiniukpabi in Arochukwu) for his unreasonable public behaviour.”
Recall also that before now, former Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, had made a similar statement calling those supporting Peter Obi and Labour Party saboteurs.
Ihedioha, in a video, said Nigeria could not afford to make mistakes in the 2023 election and that there were two parties in the election, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Checks by DAILY POST revealed that Soludo’s outburst, among other unsavoury attacks, has not gone down well with many, who wondered why politicians of Igbo extraction have chosen to spite one of their own.
A top politician from Anambra State, who spoke to DAILY POST, expressed discontent against some of the political elites from the southeast zone for what he termed a betrayal.
He said, “It is obvious that many Southeast politicians have been hired by the enemies of Nigerians to derail the Obi’s Presidency in 2023.
“The divisive interests amongst Igbo leaders and politicians have continued to ruin the chances of Ndigbo making headway in matters of national importance”.
“Igbos are their own problem. What is his ulterior motive for making that statement against Peter Obi?
“This clearly shows his deep seated hatred for Peter Obi. He just found an opportunity to unleash it,” he added.
Shocked by Governor Soludo’s tirade against Obi, he further disclosed: “I never believed Soludo would be attacking his brother (Obi) in a time like this, all in the name of politics; I feel like crying.
“Southeast leaders will never speak against all the bad things against the region but are always quick to speak against their brother.
“Is it not shocking that the zone had the most invalid registration by INEC with the least registration but none of them made an inquiry about what caused it.
“Southeast deserves better leaders because most of our leaders have failed us. The many problems we have today are caused by our leaders.”
