Presidency Rejects Claims of Threats to Peter Obi’s Life
The Nigerian Presidency has strongly refuted allegations made by opposition politician Peter Obi, who suggested that his life is under threat and that he is being actively targeted by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The reaction follows claims by Mr. Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), who insinuated that the current government was systematically frustrating his efforts and putting his safety at risk ahead of the 2027 general elections.
‘Unfounded and Misleading’ Propaganda, Says Presidential Aide
Responding to the allegations via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, dismissed the claims as entirely baseless and designed to garner cheap public sympathy.
Onanuga characterized Obi’s assertions including fears that he might not survive until the January 2027 elections and claims that individuals are being pressured to exclude him from social gatherings as a “fabricated narrative” built on propaganda.
“These claims lack substance and are designed to attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit,” Onanuga stated, pointing out that the opposition leader is merely attempting to shift focus from internal party challenges facing his political association.
Addressing Specific Grievances and the Airport Incident
The presidential spokesperson criticized Obi for blaming the federal government for minor personal inconveniences. He specifically referenced a recent complaint by Obi regarding an airport incident where security officials allegedly locked his vehicle. According to Onanuga, the incident was a straightforward case of traffic enforcement resulting from Obi’s failure to adhere to established airport parking regulations, rather than a coordinated state-sponsored action.
Furthermore, Onanuga pointed out that if the government were truly targeting Obi, his business interests would be suffering. Instead, he highlighted that Fidelity Bank, in which Obi reportedly holds a significant financial stake, is currently thriving due to the robust economic policies implemented by the Tinubu administration.
Government Focuses on Reforms, Not Distractions
The Presidency emphasized that the administration remains steadfastly focused on delivering its national reform agenda and will not be sidetracked by what it describes as “self-serving narratives.”
Onanuga concluded by stating that the government has neither the time nor the interest to engage in political distractions, urging the public to disregard the unverifiable claims.