Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, expressed his desire for younger individuals to show him respect when he reaches the age of Noble Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka.
As a father, Obi has a policy of not responding when his own fathers speak. He made this statement during an interview on Arise Television’s News programme.
Obi’s statement was in response to Soyinka’s claim that he was not suitable to govern Nigeria. Soyinka accused Obi of encouraging his supporters to attack and insult him, particularly online.
However, Obi clarified that he has never intentionally or unintentionally instructed his followers or younger individuals to speak ill of anyone.
He said: “Well, quite frankly, I will not make any comment on that. Wole Soyinka is a father. I have a policy as a father: I don’t respond when my fathers talk. I leave it to them because when I became at their age, I would want those other younger ones to respect me. Though I would try to put myself in a position where I will respect myself before that.
“But one of those he talked about is me inciting the ‘Obidients’. I assure you, I have never, and I will never, knowingly or unknowingly, ask the Obidients or the younger ones to say anything against a priest, immam or elder; it will never happen.
“I don’t make comments. It’s left for Nigerians to know whether I’m fit or not. I have been a successful businessman in the private sector. I have been in the corporate world, and I will say I am one of the most successful.
“I have also served in the state, and I ask those who attack to let us put our records and check them side by side.”
