By Moses Okorie
The Peter Obi Media Office has criticised the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, over his recent comments on the record of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi.
Alake, who reportedly spoke in his capacity as a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign, was quoted as saying that Obi had no hiding place over what he described as the former governor’s “poor record in Anambra State.”
Reacting in a statement issued on Monday, the Peter Obi Media Office accused the minister of attempting to divert attention from concerns surrounding the solid minerals sector under his supervision.
The statement, signed by the office’s spokesperson, Idris Zekeri Jnr, said the minister should be more focused on addressing questions arising from the deaths of 37 Nigerian youths in a mining-related incident.
The media office questioned who authorised the operation, what safety measures were put in place, who failed in their responsibilities and who would be held accountable for the incident.
It said the incident underscored the need for stronger regulation and improved safety standards in the mining sector, particularly to protect young Nigerians working in hazardous and unregulated environments.
“Before offering public lectures on state-level administrative histories or political credentials, federal custodians of failed essential sectors must first account for their primary responsibilities,” the statement said.
The group also called for an end to illegal mining and other forms of unregulated mineral extraction that, according to it, expose vulnerable youths to avoidable risks.
It argued that Nigerians deserved a solid minerals sector driven by safety, effective regulation and sustainable development, rather than what it described as political distractions.
The Peter Obi Media Office further criticised the APC administration, alleging that it had failed Nigerians across several sectors.