ABUJA, Nigeria – Former federal lawmaker and renowned social critic, Shehu Sani, issued a public plea to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate, imploring him to stop apologising for his supporters, known affectionately as ‘Obidients’.
Senator Sani warned that continued apologies might “kill the libido of his movement.”
The statement was shared through Sani’s Twitter account on Thursday, May 11, 2023, responding to a cry for help from Obi, a former two-term governor of Anambra State, who decried the misuse of his supporter base’s name, ‘Obidients’, to insult and abuse eminent personalities in the country.
Obi has recently been in the spotlight for his public dissociation from any untoward behavior by his supporters. He has consistently maintained that his supporters are law-abiding citizens and has condemned any actions to the contrary as unacceptable.
Sani, however, urged Obi to stop this pattern of apologizing and drew comparisons to Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and President Muhammadu Buhari, none of whom, Sani noted, have ever apologized for their supporters’ actions.
“Asiwaju, Atiku & Buhari never denounce or apologise for whatever their supporters say or do,” Sani tweeted. “Peter keeps apologising & dissociating. If you keep moving on this apologetic path, you will kill the libido of your movement. You sparked a fire, embrace the inferno with courage.”
Asiwaju,Atiku & Buhari never denounce or apologise for whatever their supporters say or do.Peter keeps apologising & disassociating.If U keep moving on this apologetic path you will kill the libido of your https://t.co/L7R6IrzzRQ sparked a fire,embrace the inferno with courage.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) May 11, 2023
Sani’s tweet, perceived by many as a call for political resilience, has sparked widespread debate about the role of political leaders in moderating the actions and speech of their supporters.
Peter Obi should know that the Obidients are revolutionaries.
Peace is optional.
If they bring violence we are ready.
If they bring peace we will give peace.We are responsible for our actions and inactions.
We ain't apologetic, if you mess up you go collect.
— Lawrence I. Okoro ( Sir Law ) (@LawrenceOkoroPG) May 11, 2023
For real, Peter Obi needs to stop all the apologies biko. He started the fire, he should embrace the infernos… his name is Okwute not Obioma!
— Informate (@InformateNg) May 11, 2023
Character is key in life, Obi is different, clean water is clean because it accepts nothing foreign to its nature. Peter Obi is a rare type of politician. Obidients will never relent. https://t.co/SsTc4BtUXj
— Bueno (@Ik_tko) May 14, 2023
That's the reason why we're Obidients and will remain Obidient.. It is only manipulative politicians that will take everything his supporters bring on board just to sustain their loyalty. Ghandi told his supporters not to fight back despite the pain they suffered. P.O is better https://t.co/hdUc4WxUsn
— Peretiemo Adipere (@Mega_Perez_1) May 12, 2023
As the heat of the debate intensifies, all eyes are on Obi, waiting to see if he heeds Sani’s counsel and what effect, if any, it may have on the direction and momentum of his campaign.
