2027: Presidency dismisses Peter Obi’s safety concerns, says claims false

By Lawrence Agbo

The Presidency has dismissed claims by National Democratic Coalition (NDC) leader and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that his safety is under threat ahead of the 2027 general election, describing the allegations as false and misleading.

In a statement on X on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, accused Obi of making baseless allegations to attract public sympathy.

“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,” Onanuga said.

The presidential aide specifically rejected Obi’s account of an incident involving his vehicle at an airport, arguing that, by Obi’s own account, the issue stemmed from a breach of parking regulations rather than any government action.

He also dismissed Obi’s claim that he might not be alive to participate in the January 2027 election and his allegation that people were being pressured not to invite him to social 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.

According to him, the claims were designed to “attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit.”

Onanuga further denied allegations that the Federal Government was targeting Fidelity Bank because of Obi’s interest in the financial institution.

“It is important to note that Mr Obi has a substantial interest in Fidelity Bank. The institution continues to thrive as a result of the current administration’s robust economic reforms. The government is certainly not targeting the bank,” he said.

He added, “Rather than being ‘haunted’ by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements.”

The presidential aide maintained that the Tinubu administration remained focused on implementing its economic reforms and had no reason to be distracted by Obi’s allegations.

“The Tinubu government remains fully focused on consolidating its historic and beneficial reforms for the good of all Nigerians. It has neither the time nor the inclination to be distracted by Mr Obi’s self-serving narratives and lies,” Onanuga said.