Attempt to ascribe ethnic, religious motives to ‘Obidient’ Movement will fail – Peter Obi

*Says no going back on the movement’s goal of repositioning Nigeria

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

“My role in the movement is that of a focal point. As I’ve always stressed, Nigeria remains a secular state. As such, the movement is not about my tribe or my religion, and it is not an Igbo agenda or in any way to christianise Nigeria.”

Update from the political arena has it that one of the players and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has described attempt by anyone to ascribe religious or ethnic colouration to the ‘Obidient’ movement as one that only end up as an effort in futility.

Obi, in series of tweets on his verified Twitter handle, on Wednesday, said there was no going back on the movement’s goal of repositioning Nigeria.

He wrote: “In the life of every nation, there is a turning point. For Nigeria, that time is now; a time to save Nigeria, save our democracy, and give the Nigerian youths hope.

“The OBIdient Movement has been the arrowhead in the take-back Nigeria mission,” adding this his role in the movement would be to provide leadership.

He continued: “My role in the movement is that of a focal point. As I’ve always stressed, Nigeria remains a secular state. As such, the movement is not about my tribe or my religion, and it is not an Igbo agenda or in any way to christianise Nigeria.

“My aspiration is for a new Nigeria, where the children of a nobody will become somebody.

“A nation anchored on national interests, and not sectional interests; where the entire youths from the six geopolitical zones will have a sense of belonging in the affairs of their country.”

According to him, his ambition to provide leadership for Nigeria was borne out of a desire to build a united and indivisible country.

Citing the happenings in Scotland where “a 37-year-old, Humza Yousaf is set to become Scotland’s first minister, having won the keenly contested SNP’s leadership contest, born to Pakistani parents, who emigrated to Scotland in the 60s, he said “Yousaf is from the ethnic minority and a Muslim.”

Obi continued, “I have always maintained that Nigerians must rise above ethnicity, religion, and sectarian politics in matters of governance; and that the leadership selection process must be strictly based on character, competence, capacity and compassion, only then shall our democracy flourish, and our society progress.

“Contextually, the Scottish reality is instructive and presents us with some lessons learned and missed opportunities.”