Peter Obi: ‘Leadership is about the power of restraint’ — Moses Paul

Paul Moses, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) youth leader, commended Peter Obi for exhibiting restraint during an incident that prevented him from reaching Yelwata in Benue State. Obi had intended to meet with victims of recent violence in the area.

“Leadership isn’t about showing who has the bigger crowd or the bigger force. It’s about the power of restraint,” Moses stated during an interview with ARISE News on Wednesday.

Moses, who witnessed the incident firsthand, emphasized that Obi’s response should be interpreted as a demonstration of restraint, rather than a reflection of political discord.

He argued that the primary focus should be on the victims of violence and the necessity for political leaders to engage with communities affected by insecurity. “We need to get down to the crux of the matter, which has to do with the value of the human lives that are involved,” he said.

Moses raised concerns about the challenges political leaders face in reaching communities impacted by violence when their movements are contingent upon the approval of current authorities. “How do we build democracy where access to citizens, particularly those who have been slaughtered or killed, is now dependent upon the goodwill of incumbent authorities?” he questioned.

He urged other presidential candidates to visit and interact directly with communities suffering from violence, advocating for engagement with victims. Moses noted that Obi’s previous visits to Benue included interactions with victims, traditional rulers, and local officials, highlighting that the recent visit differed due to the involvement of political actors and supporters from the Labour Party.

He further clarified that Obi’s right as a Nigerian citizen to move freely should not be conflated with the necessity for security notification during political rallies or organized events.

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