‘You sparked a fire, embrace the inferno with courage,’ as reactions trail Obi’s apology over Obidients’ attack on Adeboye

[By VICTOR NZE]

Decision by Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the just-concluded February 25 election, Peter Obi to tender an apology to General Overseer of the Redeemed Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, on behalf of his supporters, popularly known as ‘Obidients’, has elicited mixed reactions from Nigerians.

While many welcomed Obi’s move, others insisted that it was long coming, just as defiant supporters of the former Anambra State Governor, insisted on continuing with the ‘fire for fire’ approach, as some still berated Obi for apologising when other actors in the political mix would never do such on behalf of their followers.

Obidients have recently come under scrutiny over their barrage of verbal attacks aimed notable figures in the society who criticised their principal or are perceived to be working with the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its chieftains.

In reality, the situation has been equally worsened by supporters of both divides, as allegations and counter-allegations have been on equal level. However, the recent attacks on the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, who allegedly gave a tacit endorsement of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, in a viral claim on many newspaper headlines which read “Tinubu will fix Nigeria with God’s help,’ did not go down well with the Obidients movement members.

In the same way as the advice by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, to opposition political parties challenging Tinubu’s election to embrace the path of peace and work with him.

In both cases, Adeboye and the Ooni were subjected to a barrage of verbal fires by suspected Obidients.

In the case of Pastor Adeboye, despite the spirited attempts by former Minister of education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili to refute the statement credited to the cleric, the verbal attacks on the Redeemed Pastor did not abate.

Weighing in on the situation, and coming on the heels of his recent visit to the Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, who famously called Obidients ‘fascists,’ Mr Obi said the verbal attacks on Adeboye ‘is most unacceptable.’

This is also as Obi pointed at ‘people masquerading as Obidients’ for the verbal attacks on eminent personalities like Most Reverend Pastor Enoch Adeboye or anyone else’ for the behavior.

“The use of subterfuge by people masquerading as Obidients to abuse and insult eminent personalities like Most Reverend Pastor Enoch Adeboye or anyone else is most unacceptable. Obidients are by and large, law-abiding citizens.

“While differences of opinion are normal, calculated efforts to create ethnic or religious chasm all in the name of politics should not in any way be tolerated. As a person, I eschew name-calling, insults, and abuses, likewise most of my supporters.

“The suggestion that some in the fringes engage in such conduct casually overlooks the fact that the political opposition deploys such methods to gain undue advantage and create confusion and bad blood. – PO,” Obi wrote.

However, Obi’s decision to apologise on behalf of his supporters’ ‘unacceptable’ behavior has also drawn the reaction from Nigerians who says it was not necessary. This is as some still vowed to ‘fire back’ if insulted by the ruling party supporters.

According to former senator representing Kaduna Central at the 7^th Assembly, Shehu Sani, Obi’s decision to apologise might backfire and ‘kill the libido’ of Obidients, as, according to him, the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  ‘never denounce or apologise for whatever their supporters say or do movement.’

Writing via his Twitter handle (@ShehuSani), Wedndsday, in reaction to Obi’s apology tendered ion behalf of supporters, Senator Sani advised the LP chieftain to ‘embrace the inferno (he started) with courage.’

“Asiwaju, Atiku & Buhari never denounce or apologise for whatever their supporters say or do. Peter keeps apologising & disassociating. If U keep moving on this apologetic path you will kill the libido of your movement. You sparked a fire, embrace the inferno with courage,” Senator Sani said.

More reactions:

Teacher Ice (@Oliverunn} wrote;

I can’t keep shut while someone insults me. I will fire back. You can’t call me fascist and expect me to be cool with you. Don’t apologize on my behalf.

Ndubiisi Rex ElezieanyaElezieanya (@NElezieanya) wrote;

To be honest with what he said, we they obidients should emulate from PO, some of us here say things that doesn’t pay to our team Obidients please let’s be known with what we call ourselves OBIDIENTS. If we insult people here they use it against us is a Political strategy

Ify9m (@ify9m) wrote;

Thank you very much, sir, for the clarification – we are Obidients, and we are cultured, disciplined, and highly enlightened set of people. We are a race focused only on good governance in Nigeria (for now) and in Africa (in the future).

Iamdkhaleed (@salakoade) wrote;

Stop blaming this on opposition party. You had the chance to put people in order before election which you did not do. It is now getting out of hand. Now u feel it is not ok to insult prominent people. Ooni of ife was insulted, u said nothing about that. Sir, I regret voting u

Ofure Aito (@ofure_aito) wrote;

So, the obidients you used to enmesh your “Yes, Daddy. It’s a religious war’ are no longer obidients but tools on your path: Use them and the dump them. You deny they don’t exist or havent insulted elders and leaders of both religions as long as their ‘messiah’ singing yes, daddy

Abu Zikra (@MusaAdamu12) wrote;

I beg to differ, the ones at the top of the movement haul insults at respected Nigerians unprovoked. We know them and we have seen them around you. Be bold to caution them and stop beating around the Bush.

Edinen Usoroh, PhD (@Iam_Edinen) wrote;

I think it would’ve been perfect 4 u not to tweet on dis matter. Agbado boys, girls n APC goons are on rampage attacking personalities under d guise of Obidients n you’re tweeting dis? Pls cast ur mind to 2015 and remember that same @WoleSoyinkaa called GEJ’s wife ‘shepopotamus’

Emmanuel Abimbola (@Friman_official) wrote;

Yes daddy! We’ll do as you have commanded, Omoluabi. I wish the bunch of Nigerian politicians can play it right as this, then people like Sowore, Festus, FFK will be out of business so quick

Lawrence I. Okoro (@LawrenceOkoroPG) wrote;

Peter Obi should know that the Obidients are revolutionaries.

Peace is optional.

If they bring violence we are ready.

If they bring peace we will give peace.

We are responsible for our actions and inactions.

We ain’t apologetic, if you mess up you go collect.

FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) wrote;

Peter Obi is very much aware of our activities on social media. He knows when to apologize and when to give the long finger. He has no plans of making Obidients feel less of ourselves or give the establishment the slightest impression to stifle our voices. His ambition is to see true People liberation in his life time.