By Jude Opara
Certainly the last may not have been heard concerning the recent claims by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 elections, Peter Obi that he is facing harassments and intimidations from agents of the federal government.
In a statement on Thursday, Idris Zekeri of the Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) said the response of the federal government to the claims of threat to life by Obi was short of what was expected from a responsible government, concerning the life of a citizen.
Zekeri, in the statement titled; “State-sponsored harassment of Peter Obi and the unacceptable presidency’s tenuous reaction”, said his principal has continued to experience series of harassments and intimidations, adding that his businesses are being targeted by the government.
“Mr Peter Obi’s concerns regarding his personal safety and the increasingly hostile political climate should not be dismissed with childish insults. The foremost responsibility of any government is the protection of lives and property. That constitutional obligation extends to every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, and certainly includes the country’s foremost opposition leader.
“Peter Obi supporters want to make it clear that he is not just a political figure but a leader who embodies the hopes of countless Nigerians yearning for good governance and prosperity. Therefore, any attempts to silence or harm him are attacks on the Nigerian people.
“The Presidency’s insubstantial response is compelling the Peter Obi Media Office to urgently inform the Nigerian public and the international community of a disturbing and escalating campaign against Mr Peter Obi, marked by intimidation and threats”.
The group further stated that they decided to raise the alarm, not out of fear but a noble duty to safeguard the nation’s democracy.
“Recent actions by the government, which are underscored by their flimsy reaction to Obi’s interview, have crossed from typical political friction to a concerted effort aimed at undermining Mr Obi’s resolve, restricting his freedom, and thwarting his advocacy for a reformed Nigeria. With engineered bureaucratic obstacles, invasive surveillance, and hostility from state forces, the government’s interference is stark.
“Equally troubling is the pattern of actions directed at businesses and investments associated with Mr Peter Obi. Whether by coincidence or design, these developments have created the perception of a calculated attempt to undermine his legitimate personal and business interests. Such perceptions are corrosive to investor confidence and have no place in a constitutional democracy.
Obi’s Media team have been moving around with him across the country and can attest to the harassment being meted out to him and to his supporters. There has been a noticeable
and increasingly hostile political environment around Obi.
“For instance, some security agencies, including the EFCC, ICPC and DSS, have had issues with Obi’s supporters. We recall the attack on Obi at the home of the former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Oyegun, and the case of Justice Crack, a prominent civil society activist widely known for supporting Obi. His abduction in Abuja under circumstances that generated widespread public concern, followed by his eventual arraignment on charges many considered questionable.
“Democracy does not require citizens to agree with those in power. It requires governments to tolerate dissent without weaponising state institutions, resorting to intimidation, or attempting to silence opposition voices. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, political intolerance has increasingly become a defining feature of governance”.
They further demanded an immediate refrain from the alleged harassment and intimidation, insisting that the federal government must be held accountable should any harm be visited on Obi or his associates.
“We demand an immediate halt to hostilities against Obi and an end to the obstruction and intimidation he faces. The federal government will be held accountable for any harm that befalls Mr Obi or his associates.
“If the goal is to silence him, know that you cannot intimidate a man whose strength comes from the collective will of a nation longing for change”, Zekeri concluded.
