I did not lead any protest in Abuja, says Peter Obi

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has denied leading the August 1 protest in Abuja.

On Thursday, a youth-led nationwide protest against the rising cost of living, kicked off across Nigeria. 

The protest turned violent in certain states amid a looting spree. Police officers unleashed teargas canisters on protesters in Lagos, Abuja, Gombe, Yobe, Kaduna and Kano. 

A video of Obi purportedly taking part in the protest in Abuja, made the round on social media.

In a post on X on Friday, Obi said the video was an attempt at blackmail. 

He explained that the video was taken during his visit to the Labour Party headquarters, where he mediated a clash between the LP and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

“I have noticed some deliberate and well-orchestrated efforts by some persons to blackmail me into conforming to some of their nefarious agendas,” Obi said.

“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.”

The former governor expressed worry over the recent genocidal threat by some persons on social media, while calling for an immediate investigation and arrest of the perpetrators.

“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,” he added.

“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.

“Similarly, and deeply disturbing, I have read genocidal threats on X against the Igbo tribe, calling for their relocation.

“Let me pointedly warn that such rhetoric threatens our unity and is fundamentally opposed to our Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country.

“Those in authority must show leadership and urgently speak out against such divisive rhetoric.”