Yemi Obafemi
The Presidency has dismissed allegations by former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that he is being politically intimidated, describing his claims as “unfounded and misleading.”
Reacting to Obi’s remarks, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, accused the former Anambra State governor of spreading false narratives to gain public sympathy.
Onanuga said Obi’s claims that the government was frustrating his activities, targeting him politically, and that he might not be alive by the 2027 general election lacked evidence.
According to him, the airport incident cited by Obi was likely the result of a violation of parking regulations rather than government interference.
“Peter Obi’s recent claims of being targeted by the government, citing an incident involving his car at the airport, which, by his own account, must have resulted from flouting parking regulations, are simply unfounded and misleading,” Onanuga said.
He further described Obi as “a pathological and serial liar,” alleging that the former presidential candidate habitually attempts to link the government to his personal inconveniences through what he called exaggeration and baseless allegations.
The presidential aide also dismissed Obi’s assertion that he could be prevented from participating in the 2027 election or that people were being discouraged from associating with him, describing the claims as “a fabricated narrative” aimed at attracting sympathy and diverting attention from challenges within his political camp.
Onanuga also referenced Obi’s reported interest in Fidelity Bank, stating that the financial institution continues to perform strongly under the current administration’s economic reforms and was not being targeted by the government.
He maintained that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains focused on implementing its economic reforms and has no interest in being distracted by what he described as Obi’s “self-serving narratives and lies.”
Obi had earlier alleged during an interview on With Chude that he was facing sustained political intimidation and claimed that virtually everything he does is being deliberately frustrated by the government.
He also said there was a possibility he might not be alive before the 2027 presidential election, while recounting an incident in which airport officials allegedly immobilised his vehicle despite identifying himself.
