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| Peter Obi |
In a recent development, a series of fabricated stories aimed at discrediting Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, have resurfaced on social media. These malicious claims, which first emerged on June 14, 2023, and have been circulating under different titles, are part of an ongoing effort to tarnish Obi’s rising political profile.
The most recent iteration of these falsehoods falsely associates Peter Obi with historical figures and events, including a supposed connection to Arthur Nzeribe and the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) in 1993.
Despite the lack of credible sources or authors, these claims have been widely disseminated, potentially misleading the public.
Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR), the media arm responsible for managing Obi’s public image, has issued a statement condemning these tactics. According to Ibrahim Umar, POMR’s spokesman, the motive behind these fabrications is clear: to diminish Obi’s reputation as a leading democrat in Nigeria.
Umar highlighted Obi’s commitment to the rule of law and non-violence, principles that have earned him recognition as one of the country’s most outstanding democrats.
The public is urged to remain cautious and focus on verifiable facts about Obi’s political career and principles. Despite the spread of these falsehoods, the truth about Obi’s beliefs and actions remains a distinguishing light, guiding those who seek accurate information.
In a press release, POMR emphasized that these malicious efforts will not deter Obi from his political mission, which is built on a foundation of integrity and transparency.
As Nigeria continues to navigate its political landscape, it is crucial for citizens to discern fact from fiction and support leaders based on their genuine achievements and principles, the press statement emphasizes
POMR would, therefore, like to urge members of the reading public to treat this as a malicious effort that should be sent to the trash bin.
It categorically states that “Obi was never directly or indirectly involved in the activities of the June 12 struggle.”
It says further: “While he supported and voted for the late MKO Abiola in 1993, soon after the election, he relocated to the United Kingdom with his family, where he ran a decent, successful business that received encouragement and support from credible finance institutions all over the world because of the integrity and reputation put in it.
“As of 1993, Obi was not a politician, but he admired and voted for Abiola through the late former Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, with whom he was his fan and admirer.
“Even while at the University of Nsukka, Obi was not into politics as he was more associated as a student entrepreneur.
“The reputation Obi took into business that stood him out was what he took into politics. Before becoming governor, he never worked or held any government position. He never worked in the Nigeria Ports Authority.
“The closest he came to late General Sani Abacha’s government was when his petition on port congestion attracted Abacha’s attention and he co-opted him into an advocate committee for port de-congestion that lasted less than four months.
“Whatever status Obi is enjoying today within and outside the country is due to the high integrity he brought into what he does, whether in business or politics.
After eight years of outstanding governance to the people of Anambra state, providing basic infrastructure to the people, clearing inherited pension and salary arrears of over 35billion, leaving office not owing any salary, pension or contractors and leaving office with huge investments, plus a savings of over $150m and 30 million naira in various Nigerian banks, Obi stood out as good governance model. His good governance delivery plus transparency in the deployment of public funds earned him the Governor of the Decade.”
The statement reads further that since leaving office over 10 years ago, Obi continues to say that Anambra state has not bought him a bottle of water because he is not into the after-office largesse.
“Before becoming a state governor, Obi had emerged as the youngest Nigerian to chair a post-consolidation bank and served in various other firms as director, where he was nominated based on his reputation,” the statement reads further.
“This is the man some hirelings are making fruitless efforts to dent by cooking up lies against him, including saying that he was against June 12 when he was not even resident in Nigeria during the June 12 imbroglio but living in the United Kingdom and could not have been involved, as the faceless writer dubiously wanted the gullible public to believe,” it concludes.
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