By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Supporters of Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has described as reckless and divisive, the plot by special adviser on information and strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, to the surreptitious plot the arrest of Obi and clamp down on him and his supporters.
They further condemned Ononuga’s ethnic and bigoted rhetoric, accusing him of fanning the flames of ethnic sentiments to divide and distract Nigerians.
The Presidential Aide had over the weekend, alleged that Peter Obi and his followers are planning violent protest against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and called on security agencies to arrest Peter Obi for questioning.
But in a statement by National Coordinator of the New Nigeria Now group, Dr. Moses Paul, an Obi support group, called on President Tinubu to caution his media aide against use of threat and inflammatory language, on respected and peaceful leaders and Nigerians.
“It is crucial to reiterate that Mr. Peter Obi is, without a doubt, the most humble, tolerant, and peaceful politician in Nigeria today. His exceptional leadership qualities and commitment to peaceful coexistence are exemplary. Even his greatest enemies and opposition parties can attest to his unshakable dedication to maintaining a high level of decorum and respect, even in the face of provocation.
“Despite being subjected to daily insults, character assassination, and name-calling by individuals like Reno, Bwala, and Bayo himself, Mr. Peter Obi consistently chooses to maintain issue-based politics,” the statement said.
The supporters said that the former Governor of Anambra State often instructs them to ignore their provocations and not engage with them on their level, saying, “Leave them in their lowliness.”
The statement revealed that Obi always asks, “Will this provocation reduce the high cost of food items and suffering of the people?”
Obi the supporters said, always chooses to maintain his humility and commitment to issues of good governance.
The groups said that Obi’s disposition to attacks on his personality, demonstrates his ability to rise above petty politics and focus on the greater good, such as education, healthcare, and pulling people out of poverty.
“It is astonishing that Bayo Onanuga would attempt to misrepresent Mr. Peter Obi’s character and accuse him of being involved in violence. This is a blatant lie, and we won’t stand for it. Mr. Peter Obi is the vanguard of change in Nigeria, and his patriotic conduct has been a beacon of hope for the country.
“All Nigerians must reject the sinister antics of Bayo Ononuga who want to continue to exploit Nigerians for their self-interest. They are the real enemies of our country who have held us down for sixty-three years,” they concluded.
