By Dennis Okechukwu
The Peter Obi Media Office has accused the Federal Government of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, following what it described as the Presidency’s “tenuous and uncultured” response to his recent claim that his life and businesses were under threat.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Idris Zekeri Jnr, the media office said the Presidency’s reaction to Obi’s remarks had heightened concerns over what it called an “escalating campaign” of harassment, intimidation and threats directed at the former Anambra State governor.
According to the statement, recent actions against Obi had gone beyond normal political rivalry and amounted to deliberate attempts to restrict his freedom and weaken his advocacy for reforms.
The media office also alleged that businesses and investments linked to Obi had come under pressure, saying the pattern of events had created the perception of a calculated effort to undermine his legitimate personal and business interests.
It further claimed that Obi and his supporters had faced increasing hostility during political engagements across the country, alleging that some security agencies, including the EFCC, ICPC and DSS, had targeted supporters of the former presidential candidate.
The statement cited what it described as attacks on Obi during a visit to the residence of former Edo State Governor Chief John Oyegun and referred to the arrest and prosecution of civil society activist Justice Crack, alleging that the incidents reflected a growing intolerance of opposition voices.
The media office argued that democracy requires governments to tolerate dissent rather than use state institutions to intimidate critics, adding that Obi’s concerns over his safety should be taken seriously because protecting lives and property remains the constitutional responsibility of every government.
It warned that any harm to Obi or his associates would be blamed on the Federal Government and called for an immediate end to what it described as acts of intimidation and obstruction against the opposition leader.
The statement urged the government to focus on tackling insecurity and economic hardship instead of what it called the persecution of a political opponent committed to national progress.