Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has taken a swipe at Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, for criticizing the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu’s call that friends and well-wishers should contribute towards completing the National Library in Abuja in lieu of birthday gifts.
Omokri, in a strongly worded statement on Sunday, said Obi’s reaction was not only misplaced but also revealed “ignorance and desperation” unbecoming of a leader.
“Peter Obi should be ashamed of himself for using a sincere and patriotic birthday wish of the First Lady against her. Sadly, Obi is a man who has no shame,” Omokri declared.
He accused Obi of hypocrisy, recalling instances where the former Anambra governor allegedly engaged in vote-buying and also made divisive remarks such as calling for a “religious war.”
Omokri dismissed Obi’s claim that Nigeria is “finished” because of the First Lady’s appeal, stressing that it is globally acceptable for private individuals and philanthropists to fund public institutions, including libraries.
“Let me cure Obi’s ignorance by educating him that private individuals have built more public libraries in the United States than the Federal Government. Andrew Carnegie alone built over 2,500 libraries worldwide. That Obi does not know this shows he is more suited to running a market stall in Onitsha than leading Nigeria,” Omokri said.
Citing statistics, the former aide also alleged that poverty worsened under Obi’s administration in Anambra, claiming the poverty rate rose from 41.4% in 2003 to 53.7% in 2009.
He added that Obi’s record in education was poor, arguing that he did not build a single nursery, primary, secondary school, or university during his eight-year tenure as governor.
Omokri concluded that the First Lady’s call was noble and patriotic, and that Obi’s criticism was further evidence that he is “a trader, not a leader.”
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Oluremi Tinubu National Library Appeal: It Is Peter Obi That Is Finished, Not Nigeria
Peter Obi should be ashamed of himself for using a sincere and patriotic birthday wish of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, that instead of gifts to her, contributions should be made by her friends and well-wishers towards completing the National Library, Abuja.
But sadly, Peter Obi is a man who has no shame. Just the type of vainglory that makes him call for a “religious war” against the Muslim Ummah.
It raise a special type of low life to behave in the manner that Obi has. Or does Obi think we have forgotten when he was sharing money to potential voters (see attached photo)?
Mr. Obi said Nigeria “is finished” because of this call by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu. According to him, only public funds should be used to build the National Library. That exposes the ignorance and desperation to be President that Mr. Obi is guilty of.
Peter Obi should allow me to cure his ignorance by educating him that it is the practice worldwide for public-spirited individuals to get involved in building national libraries and other citadels for public use. This makes such vital institutions less controllable by governments, thereby maintaining their status as public institutions.
For example, private individuals have built more public libraries in the United States than the Federal Government. A notable philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, through the Carnegie Corporation, built 2,509 libraries worldwide, 1689 of which were built in the United States.
That Peter Obi does not know of this is further proof of my assertion that he is best suited to opening and running a market stall in Onitsha Market rather than being a leader at all.
No wonder that under Peter Obi, poverty increased in Anambra. Because the man is a trader, not a leader.
Please fact-check me: The poverty rate in Anambra was 41.4% in 2003, before Obi took office, and rose to 53.7% by 2009, during his governorship, a 29.7% increase.
You can’t really blame him. He is a trader, not a leader, which is why he spent eight years as Anambra Governor without building a single nursery, primary or secondary school and university.
Reno Omokri
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