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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has dismissed concerns about the health of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying his recent exhaustion resulted from a demanding campaign schedule.
Sam Omale, deputy spokesperson of the NDC Campaign Council, said Obi was in good health but had been advised to rest after weeks of travelling between cities and attending several political engagements.
Omale spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday while responding to concerns about Obi’s condition following a campaign rally in Enugu State, after which the former Anambra governor reportedly indicated that he would take a break.
He described Obi as energetic and deeply committed to the country, but said the demands of the campaign had taken a toll on him.
“If you know the person of Mr Peter Obi, he is so passionate for this country and his pouring out his life. Sometimes, I wonder where he gets his energy from,” Omale said.
“Today, he is in London this night; the following morning, he is in Enugu. The exhaustion comes in. A human being is a human being.
“But he is in perfect health; nothing is wrong with him. It is just exhaustion, and we are trying to calm him down to take a sleep.”
Omale added that Obi often handled several tasks simultaneously, including responding to questions, speaking with people and replying to emails.
He insisted that the exhaustion would not disrupt the party’s campaign, adding that Obi would continue with town hall meetings before the commencement of the main rallies.
However, the NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said he was unaware that Obi had experienced exhaustion from campaign activities.
Director, who said he recently spent time with the presidential candidate in Bayelsa State, maintained that Obi was in good health and questioned the claim that party officials were trying to persuade him to slow down.
“I knew nothing happened to Peter Obi. Honestly, I am not being sarcastic here. As far as I am concerned and as far as I know, Peter Obi is with his health,” he said.
He added: “We were together in Bayelsa for a day. I learnt that he has travelled abroad now, and I know of people who escorted him to the tarmac.
“So, I don’t know where the story of exhaustion came from. So, Omale is in a better position to elucidate the point he has made.”
Director also said the national campaign council had not taken any steps to calm Obi down because, as far as he knew, the candidate had done nothing to warrant such intervention.
