Nnamani under attack over ‘withdraw petition’ comment

Former Enugu governor and senator, Chimaroke Nnamani, has received heavy criticism for calling on Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to withdraw his petition against Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Tinubu.

In a statement, Nnamani criticized Obi’s lack of national spread, claiming he couldn’t win the 2023 presidential election.

Nnamani urged Obi to withdraw his petition and allow sedate minds to negotiate on behalf of the Igbo and South East for a safe landing.

However, the call for withdrawal has generated intense criticism from various quarters.

Dr. Desna Ajah, the head of Department of English, Coal City University, Enugu, condemned Nnamani’s position, calling it anti-democracy.

She said Obi claims he won the election and should be allowed to use the only means available to him, which is the judiciary, to prove his claims.

Sociologist Kelvin Eze also criticized Nnamani, saying his statement showed that some individuals don’t want quality leadership in Nigeria.

Eze argued that Nnamani’s statement is a pointer to his fear of the contents of Obi’s petition against Tinubu.

Obi’s petition reportedly accuses Tinubu of alleged criminal records, forgery, and citizenship issues. Eze also questioned Nnamani’s position on the transmission of election results without electronic transmission and the boldness of asking those cheated to go to court.

He urged Obi to fight his alleged injustice to the latter, and even if he loses in court, people would like to know how results could be brazenly declared against the rules established by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mrs. Monica Ogbonna, a retired teacher, advised Obi to sustain his case against Tinubu.

She suggested that beyond the 2023 elections, Obi should project his plans towards 2027 and find ways of entrenching the Labour Party in all states of the federation.

She claimed that Obi’s structure is the oppressed Nigerians, and even with intimidation and vote buying, he garnered over six million votes.

Ogbonna also criticized Igbo politicians for always working against Obi, but added that he has made history by causing big politicians, including sitting governors, to lose elections.

Praise Onyia, a pastor, urged for more focus on the objectivity of the Nigerian judiciary, adding that INEC killed Nigeria’s democracy.

He advised Nnamani to help Tinubu in defending all cases against him before the court and not ask Obi to withdraw his petition. Onyia likened Nnamani’s call to beating a child and asking him not to cry.