Peter Obi failed to condemn Chinedu, Omama deaths but writes epistles about reprisal attacks – Omokri

Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has taken a swipe at the 2023 Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi, over his write-up condemning the reprisal attack on Okuama community that killed 16 military personnel on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

It was reported that the slain soldiers arrived at the Bomadi council area to resolve a land dispute when the commanding officer, two majors, one captain and 12 soldiers met their untimely deaths.

In reaction to the incident, some men in army uniform ransacked and burnt homes in the community on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

Peter Obi, in a statement, condemned the attack on military personnel and the burning of houses in the community.

He wrote on his X page,

“Two wrongs can never make a right.

Earlier today, I added my voice to that of other Nigerians in condemning in the strongest terms, the mindless killing of security personnel who were on a peacekeeping mission in a community in Delta state.

The act remains censured and accursed by all right-thinking Nigerians. However, the emerging disturbing reports of the community being under arson attack is equally unpalatable and wrong-headed.

In all situations, two wrongs cannot produce a right. Reprisal arson attacks on the community cannot compensate for the original wrong of the killing of the soldiers. It is most likely that innocent lives will be lost in these reprisal attacks and innocent citizens who had no hand in the ugly crimes, may be rendered homeless by the unwanted destruction of the community. The correct and civilized thing to do is to put all machinery in place to apprehend the real perpetrators of the original ignoble act and bring them to book.

As painful as the act may be, I appeal to the security agencies to be considerate and avoid transferring their anger to hapless members of the community. I have also learnt that the Government of Delta State, had been on top of this situation before it escalated.

I urge the Governor not to relent but to put in more effort to ensure minimal damage. In this regard, he needs the involvement of all community leaders to calm the nerves.

Once again, my heart goes out in sympathy to all the bereaved in this unfortunate incident as I pray God to grant the souls of the departed eternal rest. -PO”

Reno Omokri, on his part, slammed Peter Obi for his comment. Taking to his X page, the controversial author criticized him for condemning the reprisal attack while ignoring the killing of Chinedu and Omama, two brothers who were lynched by a mob in his hometown Onitsha.

He said, “When the brothers, Chinedu and Omama, were burnt to death by a mob in Onitsha, Anambra, Peter Obi said nothing. He did not condemn it. He did not call for the arrest of the perpetrators. He pretended not to hear about it. He has avoided that issue till today. But now that sixteen brave Nigerian soldiers have been killed in Okuama, Delta State, Peter Obi has chosen to politicise it, with a statement titled 'Two wrongs can never make a right.'

So, Mr. Obi did not know that 'Two wrongs can never make a right' when Chinedu and Omama were killed in his hometown of Onitsha. He only suddenly remembered that adage when tragedy struck in faraway Okuama. Dear citizens of Nigeria, do we really need a leader whose reactions to public tragedies are determined by the ethnicity, religion and region of those involved?

Can Nigeria survive with a Commander-in-Chief who looks at tribe before he gives his diatribe? Isn't Nigeria too sensitive for a leader who keeps quiet when it happens in his own backyard but shouts when it occurs elsewhere? If you cannot be fair to all Nigerians, then you should come out plainly and become a separatist leader!”

When the brothers, Chinedu and Omama, were burnt to death by a mob in Onitsha, Anambra, Peter Obi said nothing. He did not condemn it. He did not call for the arrest of the perpetrators. He pretended not to hear about it. He has avoided that issue till today. But now that sixteen… pic.twitter.com/QkHkkcBjzV

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) March 17, 2024