By Eunice Okeke
Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has criticized the current administration for attempting to undermine him by comparing him to former U.S. President Donald Trump, calling it a clear indication of the government’s weakness.
Obi, speaking via his Media Office in a statement titled, “Why Desperate Obi Critics Are Failing,” which was signed by his spokesperson, Ibrahim Umar, in Abuja on Sunday, also remarked that the current administration’s actions reveal their lack of sophistication and inability to understand the harsh realities, particularly the suffering their policies have inflicted on the nation over the past year.
He stated that frantic propagandists, supported by the presidency, were distorting facts in an attempt to tarnish his spotless reputation.
The statement further stated, “For these critics, it would be a significant oversight if a day goes by without attempting to link Obi to something negative in the media. Whether it’s fictitious arrests of him or his family (perhaps a trial balloon?), baseless accusations of sponsoring violence, or misrepresenting his public appearances to serve their dubious agendas, they persist in their efforts.”
“One of the most absurd attempts is the Presidency’s effort to mock Obi by involving him in the U.S. election process and scandalously associating him with Republican candidate Donald Trump.”
“We understand the intent behind these absurd comparisons, which is their blatant attempt to gain unwarranted favor from the Democrats.”
“Nigerians who have mocked and questioned the comparison have wondered, ‘If you’re branding Peter Obi as a Trump, does that mean Tinubu is being equated to Harris?'”
He emphasized that anyone making a comparison between Obi and Tinubu and the American presidential candidates Trump and Harris would recognize the significant differences in their morality, transparency, past reputations, and focus on public welfare.
“Nigerians are not easily deceived by such baseless propaganda.”
“It is ironic that the proponents of a leader who has been notably detached and ineffective in presenting himself and his policies to Nigerians through the media, and who continues to avoid public accountability, are now attempting to tarnish Obi. Obi, in contrast, has proven to be the most visible, focused, and articulate political figure in this period.”
“Obi remains a person who has become both the voice of the people’s conscience and their symbol of hope for a fairer and more just democracy.”
“Instead of working to promote and defend their outdated and harmful policies that have worsened conditions for Nigeria and its people, they have chosen to spread false information about our leader’s activities to mislead and distract the gullible public.”
He pointed out that, recognizing the challenge of marketing a poor product in a competitive market, the FairPlay rule dictates that one should not undermine a good product by unfairly linking it to a bad one.
“We understand the motives of these trolls and spin doctors, who have further stirred up our leader’s large base of supporters both nationally and internationally by misrepresenting his recent media interview to suggest he is willing to be Vice President to anyone.”
“But that falsehood cannot apply to someone who has consistently declared in multiple settings that he is not eager to become President, but is committed to seeing Nigeria succeed.”
“Such lowly behavior, completely lacking in integrity, represents the peak of mischief from propagandists who are envious of our leader’s growing prominence.”
“Lastly, POMR urges Nigerians, particularly the Obidients both domestically and abroad, and across all political parties, to stay focused and committed to their vision of a new and achievable Nigeria.”