Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections has raised the alarm over clandestine attempts to blackmail him amidst ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest.
In a statement published on his X handle on Friday, Obi said that he has seen two videos that were manipulated to cast him in a negative light and as an anti-northern Nigeria.
The former governor of Anambra State noted that a video of his speech at an investiture ceremony in Anambra State where he had called for concerted efforts from the government to end hunger and economic hardship in Nigeria was twisted to look like he was denigrating people from Northern Nigeria.
His 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.
“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.
“This misrepresentation is part of a larger narrative of blackmail, aimed at fitting me into their malicious agenda.
“I remain committed to a new Nigeria where justice, equity, and caring for the citizens will prevail over the greed of a few.”