Simon Ekpa’s conviction: Peter Obi’s silence signals endorsement of terrorism – CSOs

A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations have described Mr. Peter Obi’s silence as a tacit endorsement for both terrorism and secession.

In a statement jointly signed by the group of 12 CSOs, the coalition cited the clear departure of Peter Obi the Labour Party Presidential candidate in the last general elections from his seeming image of being the conscience of the Nigerian nation when it bothers on the conviction of his alleged close allies, Simon Ekpa in a Finland Court for involvement and financing of terrorism in the South Eastern part of Nigeria, smacks of his clear deference for people with questionable characters.

The group berates Obi for always finding faults in most of the things done by government, while deliberately keeping a sealed lip on the mayhem and unrest bedevilling his homestead, directly engineered by the now convicted Ekpa.

The statement titled; Simon Ekpa and Peter Obi’s Loud Silence – Coalition of CSOs Condemn Obi’s Graveyard Silence, mirrored a less patriotic personality in Obi, while citing his nepotistic mien as one that will further divide the nation if availed opportunity to rule the nation.

It reads in parts, “A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations has emphatically condemned the obvious ” deaf and dumb” posture of Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate in last general elections, to the news of conviction of one his allies, Simon Ekpa in a Finland Court for involvement in as well as financing terrorism in the South Eastern part of Nigeria.

“The Coalition noted that, “For a self-crowned conscience of the Nigerian nation whose pastime has been to run commentary on everything, scathingly criticizing every well-intentioned move of government for cheap political gains, one would have expected that, by now, Peter Obi would have lent his croaky voice to that of millions of Nigerians who have lauded the conviction of Biafra’s self-styled Prime Minister, Simon Ekpa by a Finnish court.

“It would be recalled that before his arrest and subsequent trial, Simon Ekpa had relentlessly incited and instigated violence in the South East region that resulted in the death of innocent Nigerians, including security personnel.

“At the peak of his terrorism against the Nigerian State, he outlawed conduct of external examinations, including WAEC and NECO, and threatened to stop general elections from holding in the region. Ekpa’s image as a terrorist and separatist loomed larger than life.”

The body submitted that, “Yet, in all of his loquaciousness, Peter Obi has neither condemned the mayhem that Simon Ekpa and his Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) mob had unleashed on his homestead nor has he spoken up against the Monday stay-at-home phenomenon across the South East that has negatively impacted on the economy of the once buoyant region.

“Instead, Obi preferred to play the ostrich. He would rather comment and condemn everything that the government initiates even if it’s in the best interest of our dear nation.

“Nigerians can clearly see through Obi’s hypocrisy. His deafening silence on issues bordering on the South East, especially the IPOB – sponsored terrorism, only confirms his tacit endorsement for both terrorism and secession.

“Electing such a nepotistic separatist to lead a nation in dire need of unity and cohesion is a no-no.” The Coalition restated.