Peter Obi Criticizes Federal Government's Response to Peaceful Protesters
Wisdom Tide
10/09/2024
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has expressed his disapproval of the federal government for filing treason charges against peaceful #EndBadGovernance protesters. Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, voiced his concerns about the government’s handling of the situation, criticizing the use of law enforcement to suppress lawful demonstrations.
Failure to Engage with Protesters
Obi emphasized that the federal government mishandled the protests, despite receiving a one-month notice from the organizers. Speaking during an interview with News Central on Monday, he shared his disappointment in the government's failure to engage with the protesters, instead resorting to heavy-handed measures.
"Even when I was in office, I never used the police to arrest protesters," Obi stated. He reiterated the importance of dialogue, stressing that the government’s inability to communicate with the protesters only exacerbated the situation. "It was wrong for the federal government to avoid sitting down with peaceful protesters to address their grievances but instead chose to arrest them," he added.
Right to Protest in a Democracy
Obi highlighted the fundamental democratic right to protest, pointing out that citizens should be allowed to express their dissatisfaction with government policies peacefully. "I've always said that everyone has the right to protest," Obi remarked. "When I was governor, people protested, called strikes, and even shut down schools and hospitals for months. I engaged with them, discussing their concerns, and worked towards a resolution."
He underscored the importance of leadership as a platform for communication, where listening to dissenting voices is key to fostering harmony. "As a politician, I have never asked the police to arrest anyone. In a democracy, people have the right to say no. If I’m managing a system and everyone loves me, then there is a problem. Leadership is about convincing those who disagree with you, not silencing them."
Leadership as Communication
For Obi, leadership extends beyond decision-making—it is about constant communication and understanding. He illustrated this by recalling his efforts as governor to persuade teachers to support the return of schools to missionaries, a move that yielded positive results.
"Leadership is about talking to the people, listening to them, and addressing their concerns. The question is, how is the government communicating with the protesters and agitators?" Obi concluded, urging the federal government to embrace dialogue rather than repression.
In his view, the government’s actions reflect a broader issue in governance—an unwillingness to engage with the populace constructively.
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