OPINION: Peter Obi and Emeka Opara’s Selective Outrage

By Valentine Obienyem 

They were the words of Mr. Peter Obi himself. He is not known as garrulous or to habitually play to the gallery. Only he and those closest to him truly know the pressures, threats, and challenges he has faced.

Emeka Amadioha Opara circulated the statement, apparently expecting Nigerians to dismiss it as fearmongering. When that failed to gain traction, he resorted to sarcasm:

“Some people have termed Dedem Peter Obi’s outburst as a regrettable, desperate, self-righteous, disingenuous and disgraceful attempt at political blackmail!

Whatever they say, nothing must happen to my brother.

God abeg O!!!”

Sarcasm is often the last refuge of those who have no substantive answer.

My questions are straightforward. When Peter Obi was attacked in Edo State, where was your voice? Where was your outrage? Where was your condemnation?

When businesses associated with him – including the Next Mall in Abuja – were destroyed by fire, where were your appeals for justice? Where were your sermons against violence? I would genuinely like to read what you wrote then.

It is curious that those who maintained a deafening silence in the face of those events have suddenly found their voices – not to condemn violence, but to mock a man for expressing concern about his safety.