Peter Obi denies presence at Abuja protest, dismisses anti-North allegation; Condemns threat to Ndigbo in Lagos
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has dismissed as a well-orchestrated effort to blackmail him and a deliberate distortion of his speech at an event in Anambra state, the suggestion that he has declared war on Northerners, when, in fact, he “spoke about declaring war on economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption.”
The former Governor of Anambra State in an X (former twitter) post, also slammed as the handiwork of paid agents of misinformation, the false narrative being spread that he was in Abuja on August 1, 2024 leading the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests. He said that the purveyors of the falsehood conveniently edited and circulated a video taken during his recent visit to the Labour Party headquarters, where he mediated between the Party’s leadership and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), to create the false impression.
Insisting that this kind of misinformation has no place in Nigeria’s democracy, Mr. Obi said that the misrepresentation is part of a larger narrative of blackmail, aimed at fitting him into the malicious agenda of those behind the plot, stressing that he remains “committed to a new Nigeria where justice, equity, and caring for the citizens will prevail over the greed of a few.”
Mr. Obi also, unequivocally, condemned genocidal threats on X against Ndigbo in Lagos, calling on those in authority to urgently speak up against such divisive rhetoric as it “threatens our unity and is fundamentally opposed to our Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country.”
The political leader also urged that “immediate action should be taken to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those behind this heinous agenda,” to serve “as a deterrent to others who might consider pursuing similar paths that threaten our national security and unity.”
Full text of the post reads:
I have noticed some deliberate and well-orchestrated efforts by some persons to blackmail me into conforming to some of their nefarious agendas. Their dubious moves have led to the false circulation of a video from my recent keynote speech at the installation of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State. They have twisted the video to suit their motive to suggest that I declared war on Northerners when, in fact, I spoke about declaring war on economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption.
Another video circulating online, supposedly showing me leading a protest in Abuja, is also false. The video was actually taken during my visit to the Labour Party HQ, where I mediated a clash between the Labour Party and the NLC.
The video was conveniently edited to create a false narrative, and those responsible have been paid to spread this misinformation. This kind of misinformation has no place in our democracy, where truth and honesty should prevail.
This misrepresentation is part of a larger narrative of blackmail, aimed at fitting me into their malicious agenda. I remain committed to a new Nigeria where justice, equity, and caring for the citizens will prevail over the greed of a few.
Similarly, and deeply disturbing, I have read genocidal threats on X against the Igbo tribe, calling for their relocation. Let me pointedly warn that such rhetoric threatens our unity and is fundamentally opposed to our Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country. Those in authority must show leadership and urgently speak out against such divisive rhetoric.
Immediate action should be taken to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those behind this heinous agenda, serving as a deterrent to others who might consider pursuing similar paths that threaten our national security and unity.
I urge all Nigerians to stand united against this divisive rhetoric and to champion unity, tolerance, and understanding. Our future depends on our ability to live and work together harmoniously.
The government and security agencies must act swiftly to protect this fundamental principle and ensure that every Nigerian can live free from fear of discrimination or persecution. We must not allow our present challenges to drive wedges among us.
We can only overcome our national challenges if we act together as one people United under God. -PO
