Hardship: Protest allegation plot to arrest Obi – Spokesman

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last years’ election, Mr Peter Obi, has berated one of the presidential spokespersons, Mr Bayo Onanuga, of accusing him of being the mastermind of a planned protest against hardship in the country.

Obi’s spokesman, Yunusa Tanko, on Sunday in a statement said their team can report from good and reliable authority that these unsubstantiated allegations are being orchestrated to arrest Obi, limit his freedom and association and stop his propagation for good governance which they find injurious to their lavish lifestyle.

“The statement even said that Obi should be held responsible for any mayhem that may occur in the protest. Peter Obi by his mien in and out of political office has not in any way shown or been associated with violence even in the most obvious provocations.

“He has always shown even during the electioneering that he is issue-driven as he carries on without calling anybody’s name,” Tanko said.

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He said their team is also aware that multiple attack dogs have been hired and strategically deployed to ensure that Obi does not enjoy the ear of the Nigerian populace who are keen on hearing his voice on issues.

He said, “These spine doctors and hirelings, to justify their pay, indulge in all kinds of falsehood ostensibly to distract Obi and confuse Nigerians who already see Obi as suiting balm in the current turbulent political and economic environment.

“All the problems real and imagined created by their insensitivity and lavish lifestyle they have curiously tried to link to Obi. Notable challenges of the administration which are a consequence of their actions and inactions like fuel subsidy fallouts, growing poverty in the land, inflation, nepotism and unresolved historical conflicts among others they blame all on Obi.”

Tanko urged Nigerians to ignore the presidency’s cheap blackmail as Obi and the Obidient family all over the country and in the diaspora remain resolute in their search for a new Nigeria and would not be cowed or be made to lose focus.