By Chimezie Godfrey
The Peter Obi Media Office has raised a fresh alarm over what it described as an escalating campaign of intimidation against the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, warning that the Federal Government would be held responsible should any harm come to him or members of his inner circle.
The warning came in a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday by the media office and signed by Idris Zekeri Jnr, in which it accused the Presidency of dismissing Obi’s concerns over his personal safety and business interests instead of addressing them.
According to the statement, the Presidency’s response to Obi’s recent interview has heightened fears of what it called “a disturbing and escalating campaign against Mr Peter Obi, marked by intimidation and threats.”
”We raise this alarm not from fear, but as a duty to safeguard our democracy from descending into authoritarianism,” the statement said.
The media office alleged that recent actions by government institutions had gone beyond routine political disagreements and were now aimed at undermining Obi’s political activities.
It claimed that the former Anambra State governor had been subjected to “engineered bureaucratic obstacles, invasive surveillance and hostility from state forces,” which it said were intended to restrict his freedom and weaken his advocacy for a better Nigeria.
The statement also expressed concern over what it described as growing pressure on businesses and investments associated with Obi.
”Whether by coincidence or design, these developments have created the perception of a calculated attempt to undermine his legitimate personal and business interests. Such perceptions are corrosive to investor confidence and have no place in a constitutional democracy,” it stated.
The media office further alleged that Obi and many of his supporters had faced repeated harassment during political engagements across the country.
It claimed that some security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS), had been involved in actions affecting Obi’s supporters.
The statement also cited the reported incident involving Obi at the residence of former Edo State Governor, Chief John Oyegun, and the arrest and prosecution of civil society activist Justice Crack as examples of what it described as increasing political intolerance.
Maintaining that democracy thrives on the protection of opposing voices, the media office said, “Democracy does not require citizens to agree with those in power. It requires governments to tolerate dissent without weaponising state institutions, resorting to intimidation, or attempting to silence opposition voices.”
It added that Obi’s concerns over his safety “should not be dismissed with childish insults,” stressing that the protection of lives and property remains the constitutional responsibility of every government.
Declaring that Obi represents the aspirations of millions of Nigerians seeking good governance, the statement warned that any attempt to intimidate or silence him would be viewed as an attack on democratic values.
”We will not stand by while those who have failed Nigeria misuse state power against the single voice that speaks truth to power,” it said.
The media office demanded “an immediate halt to hostilities against Obi and an end to the obstruction and intimidation he faces,” warning that “the Federal Government will be held accountable for any harm that befalls Mr Obi or his associates.”
It further urged the government to channel its attention towards addressing insecurity, hunger and economic hardship instead of, in its words, “fixating on the movements of a man dedicated to national progress.”
The statement followed the Presidency’s response to Obi’s recent comments expressing concern over his personal safety and business interests, setting the stage for another round of exchanges between the opposition leader’s camp and the Federal Government.
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