Spread relief to hungry Nigerians not lies, Obi replies presidency
• Utomi: I’ve nothing against protests; they’re instruments of democracy • Coalition warns of # ENDSARS violence in disguise • Northern groups rally behind president, as Kogi govt dissociates self
FFrom Lawrence Njoku ( Enugu), Kehinde Olatunji ( Lagos), Rotimi Agboluaje ( Ibadan), Ibrahim Obansa ( Lokoja), Adamu Abuh ( Abuja) and Nnamdi Akpa ( Abakaliki) ORMER Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter
Obi, yesterday, fought back allegations that he was behind the planned nationwide protests against hardship scheduled to begin on August 1.
On his X handle, Obi said: “To those who have chosen to spread falsehoods and lies about me for their gain or at the bidding of their paymasters… I urge you to channel your energy and resources towards helping everyday Nigerians who are struggling to find their next meal, secure education for their children, gain employment, and access adequate healthcare.”
He said the future of Nigeria depends on addressing these urgent needs, not on “perpetuating deceit and lies.”
Obi explained that his political journey “has never been about desperation or personal gain” but rather “rooted in principles and a genuine care for the people.”
He added: "Rather than fabricating lies, you and your paymasters should listen to the cries of the poor, who cannot afford medicine and who are uncertain about their next meal.
"Pay attention to the voices of reason from individuals and institutions that emphasise the plight of our citizens. Let us unite in building a nation where everyone can thrive."
Obi’s remarks came on the heels of claims by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga.
The presidential aide had said: “Obi should be held responsible for anarchy. Don’t be fooled: the malcontents planning to stage nationwide protests are supporters of Peter Obi, the failed presidential candidate of the Labour Party. And he should be held responsible for whatever crisis emanates from the action. As bad losers, they don’t have the patience to wait for another election in 2027; they would rather destabilise Nigeria by staging a civilian coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“If they understand the meaning of their hashtags, they will realise they are clarion calls for treason. Wanting to end an elected government is high treason. Wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’état, which is also high treason.”
Also, reacting on X to allegations that he is one of the organisers of the planned protest, political economist, Pat Utomi, said: “Let it be clear that I have nothing against protests. It is a legitimate instrument of democracy for raising the voice of citizens. I have participated in many in my time, from my undergraduate days at UNN
to marching with concerned professionals following the June 12 election annulment.”
He said though he did not know the organisers of the # ENDSARS protests, “I supported it.”
“So, if I were part of whatever is being planned for August 1, I would wear it as a badge of honour and not wait to be called out by Bayo Onanuga.”
Reacting to Onanuga’s allegations, a statesman and industrialist, Dr Chike Obidigbo, called on President Tinubu to restrain the presidential aide from making utterances that could destroy Nigeria.
Obidigbo said Onanuga had been making inciting remarks and provocative hate speeches that could not only damage Nigeria's feeble national cohesion but also set the nation on a needless conflagration.
He condemned the recent statement, which claimed that Peter Obi and his supporters ( called Obi- dients) should be blamed for the planned national protest against bad governance.