By Sabiu Abdullahi
The Presidency has dismissed claims by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi that he may not be alive to participate in the 2027 general election. It described the remarks as an attempt to gain public sympathy.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), made the statement during an interview with Chude Jideonwo. He alleged that the Federal Government was frustrating his means of livelihood and targeting opposition figures. He also claimed that his activities were being deliberately obstructed.
“The way they are going… not even as a candidate, I might not even be alive. I’m telling you,” Obi said.
Reacting in a statement posted on X on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rejected the allegation. He described Obi’s remarks as false and politically motivated.
“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,” the statement reads.
Onanuga also argued that the claims were intended to shift public attention away from internal challenges facing Obi and his political platform.
“These claims lack substance and are designed to attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit and the problems faced by his SPV and his adopted political association, the NDC.
“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. 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 further stated that President Tinubu remains committed to implementing his administration’s reforms and is not distracted by what he described as Obi’s claims.
According to Onanuga, the President is “fully focused” on consolidating his reforms and does not have time for “Obi’s self-serving narratives and lies”.
