Reflecting on an alternative scenario: Senator Abaribe Envisions a Better Nigeria under Peter Obi’s Leadership
If only Peter Obi had emerged victorious in the 2023 presidential election, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe believes Nigeria would be in a better state today. The senator, who represents Abia South in the Senate, made this assertion in a recent interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Abaribe highlighted the prevalence of nepotism under the current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu. He criticized the president’s decision to appoint four cabinet members from Ogun State, while many other states have only one representative in the cabinet. This, he contended, is an example of favoritism that has resulted in the marginalization of various regions.
He also drew a comparison with the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that while Buhari showed nepotistic tendencies, Tinubu’s government has further exacerbated the issue. Abaribe felt that Buhari’s actions went largely unchecked, except for his own outbursts in opposition.
Abaribe emphasized that instead of expecting the presidency to take the lead in promoting regional balance, the people of the Southeast, in particular, must take the initiative to revitalize their communities and build a more united and livable environment.
He attributed the neglect of the region to the fact that, apart from Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, no other president has truly prioritized the region’s interests. In his opinion, it is no longer viable for the people of the region to wait for such fairness to be handed down from above.
The senator lamented, “If Peter Obi had won, you would probably have seen a better Nigeria today. He wouldn’t be as nepotistic as this government, he wouldn’t be. That’s just who he is – a person who cares for others.”
