“We Live in a Country of Lies” — Peter Obi Blames Tinubu's Administration for Labour Party Internal Crisis

 

Labour Party's presidential flagbearer in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration, accusing it of orchestrating and perpetuating the internal discord currently plaguing the Labour Party.

During a candid interview on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Monday, the former Anambra State governor did not mince words as he voiced his frustrations about what he described as the government’s deliberate attempts to destabilize opposition voices, using the Labour Party’s leadership rift as a case in point.

Rather than attributing the unrest within the party to internal failings alone, Obi laid the blame squarely at the feet of the federal government, which he believes is leveraging propaganda and manipulation to fracture and distract progressive political movements.

Obi remarked, “This is what you get, always, right? This is what you get always in Nigeria, because we now live in a country of propaganda and lies – and they manufacture it.” His tone reflected both disillusionment and urgency, as he painted a picture of a political climate rife with misinformation and divisive tactics.

Controversy has trailed the Labour Party in recent months, with multiple factions laying claim to the party’s leadership. The crisis reached fever pitch when internal spats between top party officials became public, culminating in name-calling and deepening divisions. One instance that Obi alluded to involved the party’s embattled national chairman making disparaging comments about a sitting governor, referring to him as a "dwarf" with "dwarf thinking."

To Obi, such behavior is not merely a reflection of internal discord but rather evidence of a more insidious influence. “The problem we have in Labour Party is problem instigated and sustained by the government of today,” he asserted, rejecting the idea that the crisis is simply due to ideological disagreements or personal egos.

Casting himself not as a victim but as a voice of reason within the storm, Obi emphasized that the issues extend far beyond his personal stake. “Forget about me, so it’s not weak. Okay, I’m weak, but it’s not weak. Is every other person there weak? So we’re not sincere with ourselves,” he said, challenging the narrative that pegs him as the party’s sole pillar or the source of its woes.

According to Obi, truth-telling in Nigeria now comes at a steep cost. Those who speak out against corruption or dysfunction are often met with ridicule or disinformation campaigns. “You speak the truth and they call you names,” he lamented, arguing that honesty has become a political liability in today’s Nigeria.

Far from being an isolated incident, Obi believes the Labour Party’s internal strife is part of a broader strategy to weaken any form of viable opposition to the ruling party. “They are trying to put problems everywhere, they want to even put problems in families,” he stated, implying that no institution is safe from the deliberate sowing of discord.

Obi’s comments have reignited conversations about the role of government in opposition politics and the growing use of propaganda in Nigeria’s democratic space. Analysts and political observers are divided on the issue. While some agree with Obi that external forces have hijacked internal party matters for political gain, others believe the Labour Party's challenges stem from the growing pains of a party still transitioning from fringe status to a mainstream political force.

Throughout the 2023 elections, Obi gained massive youth support and positioned himself as a reformist alternative to Nigeria’s political establishment. The Labour Party, under his leadership, surprised many by securing significant electoral victories, including governorships, Senate, and House of Representatives seats.

Despite not winning the presidential election, Obi remains an influential figure in the Nigerian political landscape. His continued prominence has seemingly made him a target, both within and outside his party. His recent statements suggest he views the ongoing crisis not merely as a distraction but as a coordinated attempt to silence alternative visions for Nigeria.

The presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are yet to officially respond to Obi’s accusations. However, political watchers expect that his comments could provoke new rounds of political sparring, especially as Nigeria prepares for upcoming off-cycle elections and broader national discourse on governance and accountability continues to heat up.

Obi’s remarks will likely resonate with his support base, many of whom already view the government with skepticism. As the Labour Party navigates its internal battles, questions remain as to whether it can weather this storm and remain a credible platform for political change in Nigeria — or if the forces Obi claims are working against it will succeed in splintering the movement he helped galvanize.