The Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Presidential election and former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, has reacted to a statement credited to Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, where Dangote was quoted to have said one of his friends mocked him for building a refinery in Nigeria. Peter Obi, in a statement addressed directly to Dangote and posted to X (formerly called Twitter), said Dangote’s friend is “wrong.”
“My Dear Elder Brother, Alhaji Dangote, I want you to know that your friend is wrong. You did the right thing by investing in the productivity, growth, development and progress of our beloved nation,” Obi wrote.
He went on to say “through your many business ventures, irrespective of the challenges and obstacles that now stand in your way. We are all created to serve humanity. This service may come with its attendant challenges.
“But God knows that you are strong enough to overcome the challenges and contribute to building a better humanity. I have lost more in my own life ever since I joined public service, which I would not have lost if I remained in the private sector.
“From all my savings from abroad which I brought back home, to the businesses I started in Nigeria which were either run aground or taken over by those entrusted with their management, I endured them all.
“Till today, I still face similar challenges where most times one is either being harassed by the government or the same system meant to protect you. But I believe that God kept us for this, and has empowered us to bring positive change and shine the light on the dark areas of our nation.”
Obi went on to encourage the chairman of Dangote group to “remain resilient in the face of the present challenges, not for material gains, but for the development and progress of the nation and a better humanity.
“It may have been a long night, but the glorious dawn of our nation shall come eventually, and we will enjoy the New Nigeria we have all laboured for because It is POssible, if we persevere!”
