Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has raised the alarm that some persons are being paid to blackmail him into conforming to some “nefarious agendas.”
Obi said certain individuals have gone as far as paying to orchestrate a blackmail campaign against him. According to him, such blackmails have involved twisting his old videos to conform to their agenda.
Nigerians, particularly youths in different parts of the country, Thursday, began a nationwide protest against the rising cost of living. The protests took place in different parts of the country including Abuja and Lagos.
A video allegedly capturing Obi’s involvement in the Abuja protests circulated widely on social media.
Reacting on his X account, Obi vehemently refuted the video, labeling it as an extortionate ploy.
Obi also refuted another video of him speaking about declaring war on Northerners. He said it was the video of him speaking on the need to declare war on economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption in the country at the installation of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State that was twisted to declare war on Northerners.
Obi’s reaction read: “I have noticed some deliberate and well-orchestrated efforts by some persons to blackmail me into conforming to some of their nefarious agendas.
“Their dubious moves have led to the false circulation of a video from my recent keynote speech at the installation of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State. They have twisted the video to suit their motive to suggest that I declared war on Northerners when, in fact, I spoke about declaring war on economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption.
“Another video circulating online, supposedly showing me leading a protest in Abuja, is also false. The video was actually taken during my visit to the Labour Party HQ, where I mediated a clash between the Labour Party and the NLC.
“The video was conveniently edited to create a false narrative, and those responsible have been paid to spread this misinformation. This kind of misinformation has no place in our democracy, where truth and honesty should prevail.”
Obi said the misrepresentation is part of a larger narrative of blackmail, aimed at fitting him into some malicious agenda. He said he is committed to a new Nigeria where justice, equity, and caring for the citizens will prevail over the greed of a few.
Obi condemned the various relocation threats issued to the Igbo tribe on various social media platforms, warning that such provocative statements are threats to the unity of the country.
His said: “I have read genocidal threats on X against the Igbo tribe, calling for their relocation. Let me pointedly warn that such rhetoric threatens our unity and is fundamentally opposed to our Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country.
“Those in authority must show leadership and urgently speak out against such divisive rhetoric.
“Immediate action should be taken to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those behind this heinous agenda, serving as a deterrent to others who might consider pursuing similar paths that threaten our national security and unity.”
Obi urged Nigerians to stand united against the divisive rhetoric and to champion unity, tolerance, and understanding, stressing that the future depends on the ability of all to live and work in harmony.
He also noted that government and security agencies must act swiftly to protect the fundamental principle by ensuring that every Nigerian can live free from fear of discrimination or persecution.
