Lagos APC Slams Peter Obi Over Comments on National Honours, Labels Remarks as “Populist Swipe”

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly criticised former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, over his recent comments on the Federal Government’s national honours policy.

Obi had questioned the practice of awarding national honours to politicians, arguing that entrepreneurs and private sector contributors deserve greater recognition. However, the Lagos APC described his stance as “an oversimplification of a nuanced national issue” and “another unfortunate example of performative populism.”

In a statement signed by the party’s spokesperson, Hon. Seye Oladejo, the APC accused Obi of hypocrisy, noting that he himself had benefitted from titles and privileges while in public office.

“It is disingenuous for Mr. Obi, himself a career politician and former state governor, to publicly devalue the role of politicians in national development. If political leadership is as unworthy of recognition as he suggests, then Mr. Obi ought to have declined the privileges and honours he received,” the statement read.

The party further noted that national honours are not exclusive to political officeholders, pointing out that the awards also recognise educators, health workers, security operatives, innovators, artists, and entrepreneurs. The APC said this year’s honours list reflects that diversity.

“What Mr. Obi appears to seek is applause for a statement rooted in convenience, not consistency,” the statement added.

The Lagos APC urged the former governor to “rise above soundbite politics” and offer constructive policy proposals if he is genuinely interested in reforming the honours system.

“This constant posture of ‘outsider purity’ by someone who has held — and benefitted from — public office is both hypocritical and unhelpful to national discourse.”

“Nigeria needs solutions, not slogans,” Oladejo stated.