Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has criticized the Nigerian Presidency for attempting to tarnish his image by linking him to the U.S. election and Donald Trump. Speaking through his media office, Obi dismissed these efforts as desperate propaganda aimed at discrediting his reputation.
In a statement titled “WHY DESPERATE OBI TRADUCERS ARE KISSING THE DUST?”, Obi’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar, accused the government and its supporters of fabricating stories to damage Obi’s public standing. These include false claims about arrests and accusations of sponsoring violence.
Obi also addressed a recent comparison made by the Presidency, which tried to align him with Trump. He ridiculed the analogy, suggesting that if Obi were Trump, then President Bola Tinubu would be Kamala Harris. Obi’s camp argues that the comparison is nonsensical, emphasizing his own track record of transparency and people-focused policies.
He stressed that these tactics highlight the current administration’s weaknesses, particularly its failure to address the nation’s pressing challenges. Obi also denied rumors that he was positioning himself to be vice president, reiterating that his primary focus is to see Nigeria function effectively, rather than attaining power at any cost.
The statement concluded by urging Nigerians, particularly Obi’s supporters, to stay focused on the vision for a better Nigeria, dismissing distractions from detractors.