Should We Take Obi Serious About His Safety?

Presidential candidate Peter Obi has voiced serious concerns about his personal safety, alleging that the Nigerian government is systematically targeting him and other opposition figures. Obi, who is vying for the presidency in the 2027 general election, stated in a recent interview that there is a possibility he might be assassinated.

He detailed his experiences, citing government efforts to frustrate his livelihood and activities. Obi pointed to an incident at Lagos airport where his vehicle was clamped for alleged wrong parking, while other vehicles in the same area were ignored. He emphasized that while he is not directly accusing any individual, his experiences suggest deliberate attempts to obstruct him.

These fears come after Obi and his team were shot at in Benin City in February 2026, an event his supporters described as an assassination attempt. Multiple vehicles in his convoy sustained bullet damage, and several party members were injured during clashes following a political rally.

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Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive.

However, President Bola Tinubu's spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, has refuted Obi's claims. Onanuga dismissed the allegations as a "fabricated narrative" and a "page from his book of lies and propaganda," suggesting Obi is raising a false alarm to gain "undue sympathy."

Despite the official denial, the article prompts a reflection on Nigeria's history of politically motivated violence. It questions whether Obi's fears should be dismissed or taken seriously, given past incidents and the ongoing political tensions.

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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.