Peter Obi’s refusal to condemn IPOB/ESN is subtle endorsement, says group
A civic group, the National Peace Movement, NPM, has expressed concern over the continued refusal of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to publicly condemn the killings and other atrocities perpetrated by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN.
A statement issued by the national coordinator of the group, Arome Johnson, said Mr Obi’s “blatant refusal to condemn the atrocious activities of the terrorists” was a subtle way to avoid offending the supporters of the outlawed group.
“Our movement is worried that Obi has avoided condemning IPOB and ESN’s alleged crimes. Obi’s silence over this unfolding development, therefore, suggests that his anticipated pathway to the presidency does not include emergence through a popular vote, which makes him a dangerous anti-democratic force.
“Furthermore, Obi’s campaign has done nothing to distance his candidacy from the online rants of pro-IPOB/ESN accounts.
“Social media accounts that had run propaganda online are the ones now campaigning for Peter Obi, a clear indication that the relationship between the Labour Party candidate and the separatists is systematic rather than random.
“We note that in addition to staying mute in the face of the threats posed to the general elections by his kinsmen, the Labour Party presidential candidate has taken his support for the separatists further by structuring his campaign activities in the southeast region to align with the damaging sit-at-home blockade enforced by unknown gunmen.
“A confirmation of this is evident in how Peter Obi’s campaign avoided scheduling any engagements for Mondays, the day that the terrorists enforce the sit-at-home.
The group also accused the former Anambra governor of prioritizing his political ambition above national unity.
“Consequently, we now know that Obi has placed his ambition above the unity, safety, and corporate integrity of Nigeria, above the blood of innocent citizens being shed across the southeast, and above successfully conducting peaceful and fair elections.
“We also find it alarming that Obi has in the last couple of weeks garnered endorsements from treacherous individuals that have a history of pitching Nigerians against each other along ethnic and sectarian lines,” the statement added.
The group advised the Nigerian youths to stop further mobilization for Mr Obi as he had allegedly failed to demonstrate that he was not linked to the cause of the separatists and gunmen.
Attempt by our correspondent to get the reaction of a spokesperson for the Obi-Datti presidential campaign council, Ndi Kato, was not successful as she was yet to respond to a message sent to her at the time of filing this report.
