By John Azu
The Presidency has dismissed claims by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, that his life is under threat and that the Federal Government is deliberately frustrating his personal and political activities.
Obi, during a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, expressed concerns about his safety and political future, alleging that government actions were making it difficult for him to carry out his daily activities.
He said: “With the way this government is going, I may not even be alive to contest the 2027 election. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is deliberately frustrating. I face frustration every day. They recently locked my car at the airport.”
Reacting in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rejected Obi’s allegations, describing them as false and misleading.
Onanuga said the incident involving Obi’s vehicle at the airport was likely the result of a breach of parking regulations and not an act of political persecution.
He further accused the former Anambra State governor of repeatedly making unsubstantiated allegations against the government.
“His claim that he may not be alive for the January 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events is nothing more than a fabricated narrative, a page from his book of lies and propaganda,” Onanuga said.
“These claims lack substance and are designed to attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit and the problems faced by his SPV and his adopted political association, the NDC.”
The presidential aide also addressed concerns relating to Fidelity Bank, in which he said Obi has a substantial interest.
“It is important to note that Mr Obi has a substantial interest in Fidelity Bank. The institution continues to thrive as a result of the current administration’s robust economic reforms. The government is certainly not targeting the bank. Rather than being ‘haunted’ by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements.”
Reaffirming the administration’s priorities, Onanuga said the President Bola Tinubu-led government remained focused on implementing its economic reform agenda.
“The Tinubu government remains fully focused on consolidating its historic and beneficial reforms for the good of all Nigerians. It has neither the time nor the inclination to be distracted by Mr Obi’s self-serving narratives and lies or by his candidacy, as he constantly diminishes himself with specious, unverifiable utterances.”