Supporters of Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP), in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi has called as unfounded the call for his arrest by Presidential Aide, Mr Bayou Onanuga.
Dr Paul Moses, the National Coordinator, New Nigeria Now said this in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
He called on President Tinubu to caution his media aide against use of threat and inflammatory language, on respected and peaceful leaders and Nigerians.
He said the alleged plot by Obi and his followers to cause violence and mayhem in Nigeria, and call for clamp down on him and his supporters, by special adviser on information and strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, was not only reckless, divisive and unfounded but unsubstantiated.
Moses also condemned in strong terms Ononuga’s ethnic and bigoted rhetoric, and fanning the flames of ethnic sentiments to divide and distract Nigerians.
He said the Presidential Aide, Bayo Onanuga, over the weekend, alleged that Peter Obi and his followers are planning violent protest against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and therefore called on security agencies to arrest Peter Obi for questioning.
“It is crucial to reiterate that Mr. Peter Obi is, without a doubt, the most humble, tolerant, and peaceful politician in Nigeria today. His exceptional leadership qualities and commitment to peaceful coexistence are exemplary.
“Even his greatest enemies and opposition parties can attest to his unshakable dedication to maintaining a high level of decorum and respect, even in the face of provocation.
“Inspite being subjected to daily insults, character assassination, and name-calling by individuals like Reno, Bwala, and Bayo himself, Mr. Peter Obi consistently chooses to maintain issue-based politics,” Martins said.
He said the former Gov. of Anambra often instructed his followers to ignore their provocations.
He quoted Obi as asking “will this provocation reduce the high cost of food items and suffering of the people?”
Moses said Obi always choose to maintain his humility and commitment to issues of good governance.
“This demonstrates his remarkable ability to rise above petty politics and focus on the greater good, such as education, healthcare, and pulling people out of poverty.
“It is astonishing that Bayo Onanuga would attempt to misrepresent Mr Peter Obi’s character and accuse him of being involved in violence.
“This is a blatant lie, and we won’t stand for it. Mr. Peter Obi is the vanguard of change in Nigeria, and his patriotic conduct has been a beacon of hope for the country.
“All Nigerians must reject the sinister antics of Bayo Ononuga who want to continue to exploit Nigerians for their self-interest. They are the real enemies of our country who have held us down for sixty-three years,” Moses said.