The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has said that he would always want younger ones to respect him when he gets to age of Noble Laurette, Prof Wole Soyinka.

Obi said, as a matter of policy as a father, he doesn’t respond whenever his fathers talk.

He made the statement while fielding questions on Arise Television’s News programme on Wednesday.

The statement came after Soyinka said Obi was unfit to govern Nigeria.

He alleged that Obi was inciting his supporters to attack and insult him, especially online.

However, speaking on the sideline of the Democracy Day celebration, Obi said he had never, knowingly or unknowingly, asked the Obidients or the younger ones to say anything against anyone.

He said: “Well, quite frankly, I will not make any comment on that. Wole Soyinka is a father. I have a policy as a father: I don’t respond when my fathers talk. I leave it to them because when I became at their age, I would want those other younger ones to respect me. Though I would try to put myself in a position where I will respect myself before that.

“But one of those he talked about is me inciting the ‘Obidients’. I assure you, I have never, and I will never, knowingly or unknowingly, ask the Obidients or the younger ones to say anything against a priest, immam or elder; it will never happen.

“I don’t make comments. It’s left for Nigerians to know whether I’m fit or not. I have been a successful businessman in the private sector. I have been in the corporate world, and I will say I am one of the most successful.

“I have also served in the state, and I ask those who attack to let us put our records and check them side by side.”

At your age, I would want younger ones to respect me – Obi replies Soyinka