Two close associates of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have vehemently dismissed rumors circulating about his alleged arrest, calling the reports false and misleading.
According to various reports, unverified claims started circulating on social media suggesting that the former governor of Anambra State was allegedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) on Tuesday night at his residence in Abuja. These reports quickly gained traction, sparking widespread concern among his supporters and the public at large.
The rumors appeared to tie the supposed arrest to Obi’s recent press conference, in which he addressed pressing national issues such as growing insecurity, widespread hunger, and the challenges facing the country. Some speculated that his vocal criticisms had led to the alleged action by security agencies.
However, these claims were swiftly debunked by two of Obi’s close aides, who provided clarifications to counter the rumors. In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP, Prof. Stella Okunna, a former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning during Obi’s administration and the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Paul University, Awka, along with Dr. Valentine Obienyem, Obi’s media aide, both confirmed that no security agency had detained the former governor, and there was no truth to the arrest reports.
The two aides further clarified that Peter Obi had been attending an official event in Anambra State on the same day the rumors began spreading. Obi was present at the official commissioning of the permanent site of the University of the Niger in Umuanya, Anambra State, which took place on Tuesday. The event was presided over by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Henry Ndukuba, and Obi was honored as the guest of honor at the occasion.
During the ceremony, Dr. Obienyem noted that Obi had reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the university, stating, “I will keep supporting the University of Niger,” highlighting his dedication to educational advancement in the region. Obi also took the opportunity to reflect on his time as governor, emphasizing his significant policy of returning mission schools to their original owners, a decision he described as pivotal in restoring trust in the education sector.
“The return of schools to the Church was a milestone in rebuilding our education system. It renewed the confidence of both the Catholic and Anglican communities, inspiring them to lift education to great heights and eventually establish new universities in Anambra State. These institutions have since played a significant role in advancing human capital development in the state and beyond,” Obi reportedly said, proudly noting the long-term benefits of his educational reforms.
In a further attempt to clear up the confusion, Peter Obi took to his personal X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, where he directly denied the arrest rumors, confirming that he was in his hometown in Anambra State and was not involved in any security incident. Obi's post helped quell the ongoing speculation, with his supporters rallying behind him and expressing their unwavering confidence in his leadership.
