Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has asserted that politics and the church in Nigeria need to be dismantled. This bold statement has sparked considerable discussion across social media platforms and political circles alike.
According to reports, the former Anambra State Governor shared this view in a snippet from the Honest Bunch Podcast with media personality Nedu. In this context, Obi elaborated on his perspective regarding the intertwined nature of politics and religion in Nigeria, suggesting that while both are compelling influences on society, they often distract from more pressing issues that require attention and action.
According to Peter Obi, politics and the church are attractive but have to be dismantled, and he emphasized the need for a cultural shift by advocating that night vigil services should be transformed into productive night shifts. This way, he argues, individuals can contribute more effectively to the economy and society.
He said, “It’s attractive, politics and church, but it has to be dismantled. We are going to turn night vigil into night shift so that people can be productive. I go to church and believe in God, but we can’t have it that people Monday to Friday, be in church morning and night.”[/p>
Obi pointed out the overwhelming presence of churches in the community, stating, “If I go from here to my house, the only signboards you see are those of churches. If you go to the East, it’s burials and that’s not a country.” His comments reflect a desire for a reevaluation of societal priorities in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of productivity over religious gatherings that may not yield tangible benefits to the community.
In other news, Peter Obi has condemned the viral video of some malnourished children who were arraigned in court on Friday in connection with their participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests. This incident has drawn widespread outrage and highlighted issues surrounding the treatment of minors within the justice system.[/p>
The children were arraigned before a federal high court in Abuja on a 10-count charge involving treason, but a mild drama unfolded when some of them started slumping in court, showcasing their dire physical condition. The suspects are said to have been in custody since August when the protests took place, and they were arrested under controversial circumstances.[/p>
Reacting to the development, Obi described the situation as disturbing. He submitted that from their appearance, the children seemed to have been poorly handled while in custody. He stated, “Suspects deserve to be treated with dignity even as the nation’s laws presume them innocent until found guilty by a court.”[/p>
He, therefore, called on the judge to halt what he described as an embarrassment, underscoring the need for humane treatment of individuals within the legal system, particularly minors who are vulnerable and deserving of care and protection.[/p>