Former Labour Celebration presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has dismissed current feedback describing his supporters, popularly generally known as Obidients, as “road urchins,” saying his politics is about figuring out with unusual Nigerians, not the privileged elite.
Obi said this in a response on Wednesday to remarks made by Kenneth Okonkwo, a former Labour Celebration chieftain, whose viral video accused him of “attracting classless road urchins” and failing to restrain his followers from spreading falsehoods.
“These are the type of issues that Peter Obi has, attracting classless road urchins… all these rabies-infested canines, they’re ill-bred, very ill-mannered, ill-tempered road urchins. These are the type of followers he’s attracting now,” Okonkwo mentioned within the video.
Reacting to the assertion, Obi mentioned he discovered it “deeply unlucky” that in at the moment’s Nigeria, some residents look down on others in a degrading method.
“Humanity is paramount in my politics. No road urchins. Currently, I’ve heard a number of individuals say that those that comply with Peter Obi are low-class Nigerians, and a few have even gone so far as calling them ‘road urchins’ and folks of no worth,” he mentioned.
The previous Anambra governor emphasised that each Nigerian, no matter social or financial standing, deserves dignity and respect.
“I’ve by no means and can by no means look down on anybody, besides to elevate them up. In spite of everything, we will solely rise by lifting others,” Obi mentioned.
“My involvement in politics has by no means been about associating with the so-called excessive and mighty, however about standing with the unusual Nigerians whose voices have been silenced and whose sources have been stolen by the identical ‘massive names’ who now parade themselves with all types of titles and names.”
Obi argued that such elitist attitudes mirror the “state of the nation,” the place hardship and inequality have left many voters susceptible to ridicule from these in positions of privilege.
“No Nigerian is of no worth. No Nigerian is a road urchin,” he said. “It speaks volumes in regards to the state of our nation that on a regular basis Nigerians at the moment are battered by poverty and hardship to the purpose their leaders confer with them as of no worth and urchins.”
Reaffirming his dedication to inclusive politics, Obi mentioned true management lies in uplifting the weak and making certain that every one Nigerians have entry to primary wants reminiscent of training, healthcare, and alternatives for financial development.
“Each Nigerian deserves dignity, alternative, and care. True management just isn’t about mocking the weak, it’s about lifting them up,” he added.
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