‘Obi inventing stories to attract undue sympathy’ - Presidency

Nigeria's Presidency has strongly refuted claims by Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that he is facing political persecution and being targeted by the Federal Government. Presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga described Obi's recent assertions, including an incident involving his car at an airport, as "false and misleading."

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Peter Obi’s recent claims of being targeted by the government, citing an incident involving his car at the airport, which, by his own account, must have resulted from flouting parking regulations, are simply unfounded and misleading.

Onanuga accused the former governor of repeatedly making unsubstantiated allegations against the government. He characterized Obi as a "pathological and serial liar" who exaggerates personal inconveniences into baseless claims to draw attention. The presidential aide specifically dismissed Obi's fears about not surviving until the January 2027 election and suggestions that he is being discouraged from attending public events.

"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 stated. He asserted that these allegations "lack substance and are designed to attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit."

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As a pathological and serial liar, Mr Obi is intent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters, often resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations.

Regarding concerns about Fidelity Bank Plc, in which Obi has a declared interest, the Presidency clarified that the government is not targeting the financial institution. Onanuga emphasized that the bank continues to thrive under the current administration's economic reforms. He concluded that Obi appears to be dealing with the consequences of his own unfounded statements rather than being "haunted" by the government, which remains focused on governance.

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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.