The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has responded to allegations surrounding a leaked audio that purportedly shows him colluding with Bishop Oyedepo to secure the votes of Christians during the presidential election. The audio allegedly contained Obi stating that the election was a religious war. However, Obi has denied the allegations, calling the audio fake and a distraction from the ruling APC-led government.
Peter Obi took to Twitter to address the allegations, thanking Nigerians for their support and affirming his commitment to building a New Nigeria that is characterized by inclusion, justice, equity, fairness, and prosperity. He stressed that his campaign was focused on issue-based policies and not on tribe or religion. He also reiterated that he did not make the comments attributed to him in the leaked audio and that the attempts to manipulate Nigerians were sad and wicked.
Obi expressed disappointment in the APC as a party and the APC-led government for attempting to divert attention from the alleged stolen mandate by making false accusations against him. He listed some of the ways the government has tried to distract Nigerians, including the malicious accusation by the Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed, the circulation of a fake doctored audio call, and a pressure on him to leave the country.
Obi's legal team has been instructed to take appropriate legal actions against Peoples Gazette and others who have been circulating the fake audio. He called on all concerned Nigerians and the international community to implore the APC and the APC-led government to stop their attacks and allow the legal system to take its course.
Obi emphasized that the focus should be on addressing the numerous challenges facing Nigeria, such as flawed electoral processes, the parlous state of the economy, unsustainable debt burden, lamentable unemployment and inflation, insecurity, and multidimensional poverty. He reiterated his commitment to lawfully and peacefully retrieve the allegedly stolen mandate through all lawful and peaceful options in line with Nigeria's legal system and constitution. He implored all Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding, stating that Nigeria is our only country, and we must work together to address the country's challenges.
In conclusion, Obi stated that a New Nigeria is indeed possible, and he remains committed to taking Nigeria from consumption to production, pulling millions of Nigerians out of multidimensional poverty, especially in the North, and jumpstarting prosperity through agricultural, industrial, and technological revolution. He expressed confidence that God will help us in achieving this goal. -PO