Former legislator and social commentator Shehu Sani has provided counsel to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election, urging him to cease apologizing for the actions of his supporters, News About Nigeria reports.
On Wednesday, the former governor of Anambra State voiced his distress, expressing that individuals have started posing as “Obidients” to hurl abuses and insults at prominent figures in the country.
Obi cleared his supporters of any involvement in the offensive behavior, asserting that they are law-abiding citizens.
He strongly condemned such conduct, deeming it unacceptable.
Nevertheless, Sani pointed out that figures like Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and President Muhammadu Buhari have never felt the need to apologize or disassociate themselves from the words or deeds of their supporters.
Sani emphasized that if Obi continues down this path of constant apology, he risks dampening the enthusiasm of his movement.
He advised him to embrace the heat generated by the controversy with courage, as he was the one who ignited the fire.
In the realm of politics, it is not uncommon for politicians to face criticism stemming from the actions of their supporters.
Striking the delicate balance between standing by one’s cause and condemning inappropriate behavior can prove challenging.
While it is essential to distance oneself from objectionable actions, maintaining a strong and united movement is equally important.
Sani’s guidance to Obi encourages him to confront the controversy head-on and remain resolute despite the challenges, recognizing that he is responsible for the momentum he has generated.
In a highly charged political climate, it is commonplace for supporters to engage in aggressive behavior, both online and offline.
However, politicians must maintain a certain level of decorum and disavow such actions.
