Nigeria’s Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, adjusts his glasses during a press briefing on the outcome of the 2023 Nigeria presidential and general election in Abuja on March 2, 2023. – Peter Obi announced on March 2, 2023, he would challenge the outcome of Nigeria’s fiercely fought presidential elections after official results awarded victory to the ruling party’s champion, Bola Tinubu. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has faulted the federal government’s allegation that he is causing an uprising in Nigeria over the outcome of the 2023 presidential elections.
Information and Culture minister, Lai Mohammed, said that Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, claimed that Nigeria’s democracy will come to an end if Bola Tinubu, the president-elect, is inaugurated on Monday, May 29.
The minister alleged that Obi is trying to incite an uprising in the country, adding that the Labour Party candidate is not the democrat that he claimed to be.
Obi, however, in a statement on Tuesday, said the allegations are malicious and fictitious, noting that the minister’s statement is contrary to who he is and his core values.
“It is most unfortunate that these consistent efforts to portray me quite contrary to what I am, and my core values, is coming from such high quarters. Minister Lai accusing me of stoking insurrection is totally malicious and fictitious,” Obi said.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, added that he has never discussed or encouraged anyone to undermine the country, stating that he is committed to due process.
“I have never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state,” he noted
“I am on record as always, advocating for peace and issue-based campaigns and never campaigned based on ethnicity or religion. I am committed to due process, and presently seeking redress in the Court.”
According to the labour party candidate, some officials instigating these actions have increasingly used their official positions and agents to make false allegations against him.
Obi, however, urged those individuals engaged in this “demarketing process” to stop presenting Nigeria in such a bad light.
“ Our future generations deserve a new Nigeria, where they can live a secure and decent life like their counterparts in other climes. It is possible,” he added.
Obi did not speak on the viral audio of a phone conversation with the founder of Living Faith Church known as Winners Chapel Bishop David Oyedepo.
The Guardian
