Hunger Protest: Some people have been paid to blackmail me — Obi
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Mr Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election has raised concern over false videos of him calling for war in Nigeria as well as leading a protest in Abuja.
Obi accused some certain individuals of paying unscrupulous elements to launch vicious blackmail campaign against him.
According to the former governor of Anambra State, such blackmails have involved manipulating his old videos to conform to their sinister agenda.
This is coming after angry Nigerian youths on Thursday, commenced a nationwide protest against economic hardship.
The protests are currently taking place in different parts of the country including Abuja and Lagos State.
A video allegedly capturing Obi’s involvement in the Abuja protests went viral online.
While reacting to the falsehood in a statement on Friday, Obi dismissed the video, describing it as an extortionate ploy.
He also debunked another video of him speaking about declaring war on Northerners.
Obi said it was the video of him speaking on the need to declare war on economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption in the country at the installation of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State that was twisted to declare war on Northerners.
The statement reads, “I have noticed some deliberate and well-orchestrated efforts by some persons to blackmail me into conforming to some of their nefarious agendas.
“Their dubious moves have led to the false circulation of a video from my recent keynote speech at the installation of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State. They have twisted the video to suit their motive to suggest that I declared war on Northerners when, in fact, I spoke about declaring war on economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption.
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“Another video circulating online, supposedly showing me leading a protest in Abuja, is also false. The video was actually taken during my visit to the Labour Party HQ, where I mediated a clash between the Labour Party and the NLC.
“The video was conveniently edited to create a false narrative, and those responsible have been paid to spread this misinformation. This kind of misinformation has no place in our democracy, where truth and honesty should prevail.”
“I have read genocidal threats on X against the Igbo tribe, calling for their relocation. Let me pointedly warn that such rhetoric threatens our unity and is fundamentally opposed to our Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country.
“Those in authority must show leadership and urgently speak out against such divisive rhetoric.
“Immediate action should be taken to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those behind this heinous agenda, serving as a deterrent to others who might consider pursuing similar paths that threaten our national security and unity.”
However, Obi urged Nigerians to stand united against the divisive rhetoric and to champion unity, tolerance, and understanding, stressing that the future depends on the ability of all to live and work in harmony.
He also noted that government and security operatives must act swiftly to protect the fundamental principle by ensuring that every Nigerian can live free from fear of discrimination or persecution.
