In a recent tweet, Bayo Onanuga, a prominent figure in Nigerian political commentary, questioned the silence of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the recent elections, regarding a Supreme Court ruling. Onanuga expressed surprise and disappointment that Obi has not commented on the court’s decision to grant financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local councils, despite more than 36 hours having passed since the ruling.
“Why is Peter Obi silent? More than 36 hours after the Supreme Court gave a landmark ruling, granting financial autonomy to Nigeria’s 774 local councils, Mr. Peter Obi, the defeated Labour Party candidate, has yet to utter a word on the epochal judgment,” Onanuga tweeted from his official X handle, formerly known as Twitter.
Onanuga’s tweet went on to highlight that a good opposition leader should be willing to praise their political opponents when they achieve noteworthy successes. He pointed out that even Atiku Abubakar, another prominent opposition figure, has grudgingly admitted the importance of the Supreme Court’s decision. “His silence confirms the belief that he is always quick to tweet unverified news about the Tinubu administration or our country. A good opposition statesman must be candid enough to applaud his political opponent when he has done some great deed,” Onanuga stated.
The Supreme Court’s ruling, which grants financial autonomy to local councils, is seen as a pivotal step towards decentralization and empowerment of local governance in Nigeria. President Tinubu’s administration has been credited with using legal instruments to restore autonomy to the councils, a move that has been widely praised across various political divides.
Onanuga urged Peter Obi to break his silence and acknowledge the positive impact of the Supreme Court’s decision, asserting that recognizing good deeds, regardless of political differences, is essential for a healthy democracy. “The Tinubu administration has succeeded in giving life back to our emasculated councils, using the instrumentality of the law. Even Atiku Abubakar has grudgingly admitted this. But Peter has been silent. He should break his silence and acknowledge that President Tinubu is making a great Nigeria possible,” Onanuga concluded….Seë_Morë