By Nicholas Ojo
The Labour Party leadership on Monday debunked the report making the rounds on the media, suggesting the possible arrest of its presidential candidate, Peter Gregory Obi, over an alleged violent takeover of political power.
This was contained in a statement, signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Pastor Obiora Ifoh, clarifying that Obi had rejected calls for violence immediately after the result was announced, rendering the allegation baseless.
Açcording to the statement, he explained that the ploy is simply and surely aimed at orchestrating a false culpability and entrapment, reiterating Obi’s adherence and commitment to the rule of law and avowal of non-violent politics.
Obiora asserted that the insinuation of late that Obi is orchestrating violence is a figment of the imagination of the authors and giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Stressing that Obi is not a violent man but he believes justice must reign no matter how long it takes.
The statement reads in part; “The Labour Party has been made aware of various trending stories in print and video suggesting that its Presidential Candidate Mr. Peter Obi will soon be arrested. The stories are draped with some so-called prophecies calling for prayers on Obi as he would be arrested.
“Ordinarily, such stories should not deserve our attention. However, we are concerned when the faux stories flying around are juxtaposed with video clips spliced from pre-election and campaign speeches where Obi had underscored to Nigerian youths, the importance of taking back our country.
“To contrive such videos as recent remarks and effort to make them look fresh, is simply mischievous, if not criminal. The ploy is simply and surely aimed at orchestrating a false culpability and entrapment. We must reiterate here for the record, Obi’s adherence and commitment to the rule of law and avowal of non-violent politics.
“On March 1st, 2023 when the INEC announced its charade election result by 4 a.m., Obi supporters across the country and in the diaspora mounted pressure on him to authorize a mass protest but he declined insisting instead that taking back Nigeria through him will come through due and peaceful process and not via violence.
“The insinuation of late that Obi is orchestrating violence is a figment of the imagination of the authors and giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Obi is not a violent man but he believes justice must reign no matter how long it takes.
“As a man of faith, the former Anambra state Governor strongly believes that a new Nigeria is POssible following due process and does not need to drag his supporters out in the street to achieve it.
“The Labour Party; therefore, wishes to advise the prophets and soothsayers whether real or imagined, to leave Obi out of their prophecy because his faith is in Nigerians and his God and not on imaginary fortune tellers,” the statement added.
