Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the election on February 25th, has declared that his campaign for the general election of 2023 was not focused on his ethnicity or religion.
Obi responded to accusations made against Lai Mohammed, the minister of information and culture, in a statement he signed on Tuesday.
The LP candidate claimed that Mohammed’s accusations of treason against Obi at a press conference in Washington, DC, were a result of smear campaigns against him.
Obi said, “It is most unfortunate that these consistent efforts to portray me quite contrary to what I am, and my core values, is coming from such high quarters. Minister Lai accusing me of stoking insurrection is totally malicious and fictitious.
“I have never discussed or encouraged anyone to undermine the Nigerian state; I have never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state. Those initiating these actions have increasingly used their official positions and agents to make false allegations against me.
“I am on record as always, advocating for peace and issue-based campaign and never campaigned based on ethnicity or religion. I am committed to due process, and presently seeking redress in the court.”
The former governor of Anambra State then urged those engaged “in this demarketing process to stop presenting Nigeria in such bad light.”
“Our future generations deserve a new Nigeria, where they can live a secure and decent life like their counterparts in other climes. It is possible,” he added.