ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, has denied the treason allegation leveled against him by the federal government, a few days after a leaked audio where he described the 2023 presidential election as a ‘religious war.’
Since the audio conversation was released, the former Anambra State had remained silent on social media, allowing his aides to address the matter.
On Tuesday, however, he took to Twitter, to comment on the issue while addressing allegations of treason made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.
He said he had observed deliberate moves to de-market him by various persons including officials of the Nigerian government.
Obi said: “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.”
Recall that on Saturday, a leaked telephone conversation between Obi and influential cleric David Oyedepo was published by People’s Gazette.
In the audio, Obi asked Oyedepo to help spread his message to Christians in the South-west and parts of North-central, saying that the just concluded presidential election was a “religious war.”
“Daddy, I need you to speak to your people in the South-West and Kwara, the Christians in the South-West and Kwara,” Mr Obi was heard saying in the leaked audio clip. “This is a religious war.”
On Tuesday, the Information Minister Lai Mohammed accused the former Anambra State Governor of inciting Nigerians against one another.
Alleging treason, Mr. Mohammed said it was wrong for Obi on one breath seek redress in court over the outcome of the polls and on another breadth incite people to violence.
Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP are currently challenging the outcome of the 25 February presidential election won by Bola Tinubu of the ruling APC.
The two have filed petitions at the election tribunal with each of them seeking to be declared the winner of the election.