Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Presidential flag bearer of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has told the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, to stop running a malicious campaign of calumny against him.
Obi who was reacting to an allegation by the Minister that he is inciting Nigerians against the state, denied ever making any utterance that could lead to insurrection.
The LP candidate said he would no longer tolerate any orchestrated campaign of calumny against his person by the Federal Government.
“In the past few days, I have observed various campaigns of calumny directed at my person, with the latest being allegations attributed to the information Minister, Lai Mohammed from Washington DC.
“It is most unfortunate that these consistent efforts to portray me quite contrary to what I am, and my core values, are coming from such high quarters. Minister Lai accusing me of stoking insurrection is totally malicious and fictitious.”
“I have never discussed or encouraged anyone to undermine the Nigerian state; I have never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state. Those initiating these actions have increasingly used their official positions and agents to make false allegations against me.
“I am on record as always, advocating for peace and issue-based campaign and never campaigned based on ethnicity or religion. I am committed to due process, and presently seeking redress in the Court.
“I urge those engaged in this demarketing process to stop presenting Nigeria in such bad light. Our future generations deserve a new Nigeria, where they can live a secure and decent life like their counterparts in other climes. It is possible.”
Mohammed had while interacting with international media organisations and think-tanks on the just concluded 2023 polls on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, in Washington DC said Obi and his running mate, Yusuf Datti-Baba Ahmed had been inviting insurrection since they lost the February 25 presidential election.
“This is treason. You cannot be inviting insurrection, and this is what they are doing,” Mohammed said.
