Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Thursday advised former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to focus on resolving internal crises within his party before aspiring to lead Nigeria.

Akpabio’s remarks came during the Valedictory Session in honour of the late Niger Delta elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark.

Akpabio suggested that Obi’s emphasis on national issues would be more credible if he first demonstrated leadership in addressing the prolonged leadership challenges within the Labour Party.

“If you cannot even resolve the crisis in that Labour Party, is it the crisis of Boko Haram that you will come and resolve in Nigeria?” Akpabio asked. “Those who are aspiring as presidential candidates should stop using social media to sow division. Tell them to fix the small party they have before dreaming of governing the entire country.”

Akpabio contrasted his own governance track record with that of Obi, pointing to the infrastructure development, educational investments, and religious unity he championed during his tenure as governor. He highlighted projects such as dualised roads, international hospitals, free education, and religious pilgrimages that were part of his legacy.

“I can tell you about the dualised roads in my city, the international hospitals, free and compulsory education, and the unity I brought by sponsoring thousands to Jerusalem and Mecca,” he said. “Let those who want to rule Nigeria start by fixing what’s in their hands.”

Akpabio’s remarks were a response to Obi’s comments from the previous day, during his tribute to Clark, in which Obi lamented the worsening economic and social conditions in the country.

Obi questioned why Nigerians, who had protested fuel price hikes under former President Goodluck Jonathan, remained silent as fuel prices rose dramatically under President Bola Tinubu.

“We say the labour of our heroes past should not be in vain, but it is. People protested fuel price hikes under Jonathan, now that fuel is N900, they are silent,” Obi remarked.

Meanwhile, activist Omoyele Sowore fired back at Obi, accusing him of dishonesty regarding his past involvement in the administration of former President Jonathan.

Sowore, critical of Obi’s stance on the 2012 anti-subsidy protests, questioned the former Anambra State governor’s credibility, especially in light of his alleged involvement in business dealings with figures like Diezani Alison-Madueke during Jonathan’s tenure.

Sowore also took issue with Obi’s current position on economic protests, suggesting that if Obi had downplayed the importance of past protests, he should hold the same view regarding the current administration’s policies.

“Why should the Tinubu administration not hold the same view, after all, they claim that their economic policies are for the good of Nigerians, even though our people are dying in droves?” Sowore said in a statement.

In a related matter, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, also responded to Obi’s criticisms, particularly regarding the last governorship election in Edo.

Okpebholo’s spokesman, Fred Itua, dismissed Obi’s comments as “unfounded and disrespectful,” insisting the election would be conducted transparently.

Okpebholo’s office urged Obi to respect the democratic process in Edo and contribute positively to political discourse, rather than undermining the integrity of the election.

He said, “The Edo State Governorship Election was conducted by the highest standards of electoral integrity, as observed by both local and international observers. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ensured a level playing field, and the process was widely acknowledged as credible.

“Mr. Obi’s pronouncements are not supported by any credible evidence and appear to be driven by political expediency rather than a genuine concern for democratic principles. Regrettably, a figure of his standing would choose to undermine the democratic process with such baseless allegations.

“The Edo State Government urges Mr. Obi to retract his statements and respect the mandate freely given by the people of Edo State. We implore him to contribute constructively to the nation’s democratic discourse rather than engaging in divisive rhetoric.”.

“The peace and stability of Edo State are paramount, and Governor Monday Okpebholo will not allow anyone to jeopardise the hard-earned democratic gains made so far. The people of Edo State have spoken, and their voice must be respected.”