Government responds to Peter Obi's safety fears

The Presidency has denied claims made by Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He said the government led by President Bola Tinubu is targeting him.

Earlier, Obi mentioned that he feels his life is in danger because Tinubu’s government is always frustrating him and making him a target.

In response, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu's special adviser on information and strategy, posted on his X account on Wednesday night. He called Obi’s claims “unfounded and misleading.”

“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.

Onanuga added that these claims lack substance. He believes they are meant to win sympathy and distract from Obi's credibility issues and the problems facing his political party, the NDC.

The presidential aide accused Obi of dragging the government into his personal problems. He said Obi often exaggerates and makes baseless allegations.

Onanuga laughed at Obi’s mention of an airport incident where officials allegedly locked his car. He said this happened because Obi likely “flouted parking regulations.”

He also claimed that Obi has “substantial interest” in Fidelity Bank. He said the bank has continued to do well because of Tinubu’s government’s economic reforms.

“The government is certainly not targeting the bank. Rather than being ‘haunted’ by the government, Mr Obi seems to be struggling with the effects of his many unfounded statements,” he said.

Onanuga stated that Tinubu’s government is not distracted by Obi’s claims. The government is “fully focused” on delivering good reforms for 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,” he added.