By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has sharply criticised some prominent figures who were once celebrated as defenders of democracy during the military era, accusing them of becoming worse oppressors now that they are in power.
In a strongly-worded statement posted on Wednesday, Obi expressed disappointment over what he described as a painful irony of history.
He noted that individuals who fought against the dictatorship of General Sani Abacha and were seen as champions of human rights and democracy through groups like National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) are now exhibiting even more authoritarian tendencies.
“Yesterday defenders of democracy, today’s destroyers. What a shame,” Obi wrote.
“What an irony of history, that the acclaimed defenders of democracy and human rights who claimed to have fought for democracy during the era of General Sani Abacha now find themselves worse than the man they opposed,” he said.
He added that General Sani Abacha, once viewed as the face of oppression, would now be remembered as seemingly more democratic and more respectful of human rights than some of the so-called champions of activism from the NADECO days.
“Power indeed reveals character,” Obi concluded, ending the message with his signature rallying cry, “A New Nigeri
a is POssible.”
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