By Kayode Lawal A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has warned the Federal Governmen...
By Kayode Lawal
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation
(SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has warned the Federal Government against any
attempt to arrest the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP),
Peter Gregory Obi, on the alleged sponsorship of the planned nationwide protests
by some aggrieved Nigerians.
The ex-SGF, who was one of the strongest supporters and
pillars of Obi in the 2023 presidential election, warned that the consequences
of arresting Obi would be too severe for the Federal Government to handle.
Babachir Lawal, speaking with newsmen on the issue, debunked
the allegations by President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, that the
nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria was being sponsored by Obi
and the Obidient Movement.
He also warned the government not to use force against the
protesters, saying doing so may be a “catalyst for chaos”.
“Bola Tinubu should not use a forceful approach with the
protesters. They mean well for the country. If they go out to protest and there
is an attempt to forcefully stop them, that will be the catalyst for chaos.”
“Tinubu should remove Bayo Onanuga from his position because
he doesn’t mean well for his government. His outbursts are inflaming Nigerians
rather than pacifying them. When you are in government, you don’t insult the
people.”
“I don’t know if Onanuga was the spokesman of the Motor Park
Touts Association before he got his current appointment. They said he is
educated, but it doesn’t show in his behavior. He has an in-built disdain for
people, and it shows in the way he talks.”
“I don’t expect a presidential spokesman to come out and say
the planned protest is being organized by Peter Obi. If Obi had the character
that Onanuga is ascribing to him, this government would have been down a long
time ago.”
“How can you say Obi has anything to do with the protest?
Even to complain, Obi will not let you accompany him.”
“It is one of the reasons why some of us just kept away from
him. When you insult him, he will not reply. He will just go about doing his
own business.”
“Let them arrest him if that is their plan and see the
consequences. I know that is what Onanuga is working towards. Anyone asking
Tinubu to arrest Peter Obi doesn’t mean well for him. It is like they took
cyanide with their own hands and swallowed it.”
“I really don’t know what Onanuga’s problem with Igbos is.
Igbos are good people. They are our classmates from primary, secondary schools
to university. They are our business partners; they are our neighbors.”
“We buy things from them. An Igbo man in my village is the
one selling local gin (ogogoro). He left his village and settled down in my
village. He is married and has farmlands.”
“Tinubu is a good man, but he is surrounded by sycophants
like Onanuga who will not tell him the truth.”
No comments