From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has lambasted the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, for saying the labour of past Nigerian leaders have failed to yield desired results.

Speaking during the valedictory session for the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, at the Senate Chambers, Akpabio accused Obi of trying to cause division among Nigerians with statements amplified on social media.

He recalled that Obi made the statement during the Edwin Clark Memorial Lecture in Abuja on Wednesday.

Obi had  said: “For somebody like me who had just been part of the 2023 general election, he (Edwin Clark) lived a life of courage, a life of sacrifice, a life of justice, a life that is valued. But most importantly, he continued living that life to the end. So why are we saying it (labours of heroes past) should not be in vain.

“I listened to my brother Mike when you talked about, ‘may the Labour of our heroes past not be in vain.’

“I’m happy that Jonathan is here. But I can tell you their sacrifice is in vain.

“They have sacrificed for nothing. We were in this country when people were protesting, when there was no need to protest under Goodluck Jonathan. Where are those protesters? Have they died? Where are they?

“So, why are we saying it (labours of heroes past) should not be in vain?

“Jonathan increased fuel from N87 to N120 and people were protesting in this country. And when it was N900 they weren’t protesting.

“Again, so why are we saying it (labours of heroes past) should not be in vain?

“People protested when $1 was N180, and when it was N1500 they weren’t protesting. Are they dead?” he questioned.

But Akpabio challenged the former Anambra governor to demonstrate his ability to solve problems by resolving the internal strife in the Labour Party which he leads, before providing solutions to national issues.

He said social media avails everyone the opportunity to make statements as they please because it is unregulated in the country, hence the constant statements put out by Obi through various channels on the internet.

“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?  I would like us to be known for what we did when we had the opportunities.

“As I speak now, I can tell you about the dualised thoroughfares in my city. I can fly over us in my city. I can tell you about the best international hospitals in my city. I can tell you about the monuments of government houses for the governor and deputies.

“I ran one of the best digitalised governor’s offices. I can tell you about the free and compulsory education. I can tell you about the unity I brought in religion by sponsoring over 5,800 Muslims, over 12,000 to 15,000 Christians to Rome. And to Jerusalem but then those who are aspiring as presidential candidates cause division with their mouths using social media.

“Tell them to resolve the small crisis they have in the smallest party in Nigeria before they come to talk about the larger Nigeria.”

Akpabio described Clark as a true patriot who was genuinely interested in the unity and prosperity of Nigeria.

In individual tributes made as members of the deceased’s family led by C.C Clark watched, other lawmakers described the late ex-senator as a “patriot,” “last of the titans,” and “nationalist.”

In addition to the family, former senators including James Manager, Ita Giwa, Bassey Ewa Henshaw, were present. Representatives of PANDEF, led by its chairman, Amb. Godknows Igali, were also in attendance.

On his part, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, urged the Senate to immortalise Clark for his “indelible and undeniable” contribution to the progress of Nigeria by naming a reputable institution after him.