- Accuses NDC presidential candidate of ‘seeking undue sympathy’
BY EDMOND ODOK – The Presidency has slammed the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, as a master-class in victimhood, describing the claims
that the federal government is targeting his life and frustrating his political ambitions as false, misleading and baseless.
Firmly rejecting the narrative as a desperate bid to garner public sympathy, Abuja, through the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed the candidate’s fears as the fabricated propaganda of a “serial liar”.
The explosive response by Onanuga follows a recent interview where the former Anambra State governor claimed he was facing systematic intimidation in the hands of President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Hitting back with a fierce statement, the Presidential aide said Obi’s recent claims, including an alleged incident involving his vehicle at an airport and fears about his safety ahead of the 2027 general election, were unfounded and lacked credible evidence.
He described Obi as a “pathological and serial liar,” hellbent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters.
The statement said: “As a pathological and serial liar, Mr Obi is intent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters, often resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations.
“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.
“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.”
According to the presidential spokesman, the Federal Government has no interest in targeting Fidelity Bank, in which Obi is said to have a substantial interest, stressing that the financial institution continues to thrive under the current administration’s economic reforms.
He said the President Tinubu’s administration remains focused on implementing reforms designed to strengthen the economy and improve the welfare of Nigerians, rather than engaging in political distractions.
“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.
“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”, Onanuga said.
The Presidency’s push back comes against the backdrop of Peter Obi’s claims that he may not be alive to contest the next presidential election, alleging that the Federal Government is systematically frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures.
He made the comments during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo and a clip of the media encounter was shared on Jideonwo’s X handle on Wednesday.
Addressing the possibility of participating in the 2027 presidential race, the former Anambra State governor said the challenges he faces has become so intense that there is no certainty that he would still be alive by then.
Putting the issues in perspective, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 Presidential election said: “Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it, deliberately so.
“Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive.”
