Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, has alleged that the internal crisis rocking the party is being instigated and sustained by the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Monday, Obi described Nigeria as a country plagued by “propaganda and lies,” claiming that the ruling government is behind efforts to destabilise the Labour Party.

“This is what we get always in Nigeria, because we now live in a country of propaganda and lies, and they manufacture it. The problem we have in the Labour Party is a problem instigated and sustained by the government of today,” Obi said.

He defended his track record and leadership style in response to criticisms, including those from former ally, Kenneth Okonkwo, who had questioned his strength as a party leader. Obi dismissed such criticisms and stressed that patience and tolerance should not be mistaken for weakness.

“When you have a party chairman who calls the state government a dwarf, and dwarf thinking… Okay, I’m weak, but is every other person there weak? So let’s all be sincere with ourselves,” he said.

Drawing on his professional and political background, Obi argued that he has earned his place in public life through hard work and integrity.

“If I have managed and built a business, locally and internationally, and they are thriving by the time I left them… I’ve been chairman of corporations, quoted companies, director, and I’ve earned my respect. And I’ve been a governor. There’s no place that I’ve shown weakness,” he said.

He also dismissed defections and internal disagreements as inevitable, invoking a biblical analogy: “If [out of] 12 persons that followed Jesus, one went against him, how about me, who have thousands, millions followed. And you’re counting those who went against me.”

Obi maintained that his approach to leadership, marked by humility and restraint, has been misinterpreted by critics, but remains his strength.

“If I have humility, patience, tolerance, it’s not weakness, it’s a virtue. It is not easy for people to remain where I am,” he said.

Highlighting his commitment to grassroots engagement, Obi said he has travelled extensively across Nigeria, unlike critics who remain detached from the realities on the ground.

“This year alone, I’ve driven from Abuja to Kafanchan, to Kaduna, to Kano, to Katsina, to Jigawa, to Jos, to Benue, to Kogi… People just stay in their house and talk about how macho they are.

“It’s easy to be an armchair critic,” he added. “For God’s sake, I’m on the road.” (BusinessDay)