Abuja, Nigeria – Supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, have strongly criticized allegations made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy.
Onanuga claimed that Obi and his followers were plotting violent protests against the administration of President Tinubu, calling for Obi’s arrest.
Over the weekend, Onanuga accused Obi and his supporters of planning to incite violence and urged security agencies to detain Obi for questioning. However, Dr. Moses Paul, National Coordinator of the Peter Obi supporters under the New Nigeria Now Group, dismissed these accusations on Monday. Speaking to Daily Sun in Abuja, Paul described Onanuga’s statements as “reckless, divisive, and unsubstantiated.”
Paul condemned Onanuga’s alleged use of ethnic and bigoted rhetoric, accusing him of trying to distract Nigerians from the country’s economic challenges. “It is crucial to reiterate that Mr. Peter Obi is, without a doubt, the most humble, tolerant, and peaceful politician in Nigeria today,” Paul stated. He emphasized Obi’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and his consistent focus on issue-based politics, despite facing insults and character attacks from various quarters.
“Mr. Peter Obi has always instructed his supporters to ignore provocations and not engage at the same level,” Paul added, quoting Obi’s sentiment, “Will this provocation reduce the high cost of food items and the suffering of the people?”
Paul expressed astonishment at Onanuga’s attempt to misrepresent Obi’s character, labeling the allegations as blatant lies. He reaffirmed Obi’s role as a symbol of change and hope for Nigeria.
The New Nigeria Now Group has called on President Tinubu to advise his media aide against using threatening and inflammatory language towards respected and peaceful leaders and Nigerians.