Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The vice presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Dr Yusuf Datti-Ahmed, has said that the rising profile of his boss, Mr Peter Obi, has become a bitter pill and a threat to anti-progressive political forces in the country, behind various propaganda against him.
This is as he accused them of creating fake social media accounts in his name which they use to fabricate and spread falsehood with grave religious implications in their desperation to blackmail and pitch him against some religious groups and leaders.
Datti- Ahmed who disclosed this in a press conference, denied ownership of such social media accounts, and warned members of the public to beware of impostors trying to mislead them in his name.
“Impostors had right from inception of the various social media platforms opened accounts in my name without my knowledge or approval.
“I wrote several complaints accordingly which were never attended to satisfactorily. This situation remained for nearly a decade, and I decided to be inactive on the platforms till my complaints were satisfactorily attended to.
“There is sufficient justification to conclude that these unholy acts against a real change agent at a politically sensitive period may be sponsored by opponents and enemies of progress to disparage me, stain my image and distract us from the noble objective of rescuing Nigeria.
“The rising profile of HE Peter Obi, and the growing fortunes of Labour Party have become such a bitter pill for some Nigerian retrogressive status quo politicians to the extent of apparently committing huge amounts of money in creating and spreading falsehood in the name of politics.
“My preference to remain fair and objective in the matter of wild allegations against a fellow Nigerian, the likes of which I am beginning to witness, has attracted the wrath of the same elements.
“I offer no apologies for having been deemed suitable by a team of diligent and competent head hunters in matters relating to Candidacy in 2023, but I must observe that there are more decent and honourable ways for disagreeing with the issue of preferential choice.”
Datti-Ahmed who explained that the situation became more intense when he was picked as Obi’s running mate, thanked followers of such accounts for their diligence in observing that the communications would not have emanated from him.
“Ever since indications began to appear about my joining the Labour Party, more impostors hurriedly opened more accounts in my name, in most cases misspelled or in wrong format.
“Complaints about the fake accounts have been duly lodged and registered with the relevant host platforms, while I wait and continue to suffer the consequences of mischievous and evil postings done by others falsely in my name.
“I must acknowledge and appreciate the diligence of well-meaning followers who were quick to observe and object to these accounts on basis of their good knowledge of me.
“Some of these communications have been, and continue to be, premeditated and designed to set me against legitimate and established responsible religious organisations, and in some cases portray me negatively in relation to certain sentiments and core values.
“I hereby dissociate my humble self from the creation, ownership, and operation of any such social media accounts.
“I equally declare that all exchanges and communications therefrom are without my knowledge or input in any way whatsoever.”
While calling for prayers against those behind the malicious act, Datti-Ahmed urged his supporters and members of the ‘Obi-dient’ movement to remain undeterred.
“I call on the discerning general public, particularly our dear Obidient and Useful followers, to exercise patience until the resolution of these complaints after which we genuinely communicate towards rescuing Nigeria.”
