…Over allegation of inciting Nigerians to violence
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the February 25 election in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Obi, has accused the Federal Government of waging a campaign of calumny against him.
Obi’s accusation followed allegations by the Federal Government that the former Governor of Anambra State is inciting insurrection in the country.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, during his official engagements with some international media organisations and Think tanks in Washington D.C, United States, accused Obi and his running mate Yusuf Datti Ahmed of inciting Nigerians to violence over the outcome of the February 25 presidential elections.
Lai Mohammed, who is currently in the United States of America engaging the international press on the outcome of the February 25 presidential election, had accused Obi, who has since gone to court over the poll’s results, of committing treason.
But reacting to the accusation through a statement posted via his Twitter handle on Tuesday, Obi said the minister is promoting a campaign of calumny against him, which he said would fail.
He wrote: “In the past few days, I have observed various campaigns of calumny directed at my person, with the latest being allegations attributed to the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, from Washington DC.
“It is most unfortunate that these consistent efforts to portray me quite contrary to what I am, and my core values, are 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 Court.
“I urge 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!”