By Desire Emmanuel
Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday night came hard on the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his claim that he may not be alive to witness the 2027 general election.
Onanuga, in a post on his X handle, described Obi as a pathological and serial liar who is intent on dragging the Tinubu administration into every personal inconvenience he encounters.
Obi had earlier on Wednesday expressed concern about his safety and wondered whether he would still be alive to contest the election, alleging that he has been subjected to persistent harassment and obstruction.
Obi made the remarks during an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, which was shared on X platform.
Responding to a question on whether there was a possibility he might not emerge as a candidate in the 2027 election, Obi said, “Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you.”
The former Anambra State governor also recounted an incident at an airport where he claimed officials locked his vehicle while other vehicles parked in the same area were left untouched.
“I had a case recently at the airport where people who worked in the airport came and locked my car. And I said, ‘It’s me.’ The person in charge said he doesn’t care.
“But I said, ‘Look at the cars of other people.’ And you could see them talking to each other, as if, ‘Who is this one?’” he said.
Responding to the claim however, Onanuga said his claim that he may not be alive for the 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events is nothing more than a fabricated narrative as well as a page from his book of lies and propaganda.
Onanuga wrote: “Peter Obi’s recent claims of being targeted by the government—citing an incident involving his car at the airport, which, by his own account, must have resulted from flouting parking regulations—are simply unfounded and misleading.
“As a pathological and serial liar, Mr Obi is intent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters, often resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations.
“His claim that he may not be alive for the January 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events is nothing more than a fabricated narrative, a page from his book of lies and propaganda.
“These claims lack substance and are designed to attract undue sympathy and deflect attention from his credibility deficit and the problems faced by his SPV and his adopted political association, the NDC.
“It is important to note that Mr Obi has a substantial interest in Fidelity Bank. The institution continues to thrive as a result of the current administration’s robust economic reforms.
“The government is certainly not targeting the bank. Rather than being “haunted” by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements.
“The Tinubu government remains fully focused on consolidating its historic and beneficial reforms for the good of all Nigerians. It has neither the time nor the inclination to be distracted by Mr Obi’s self-serving narratives and lies or by his candidacy, as he constantly diminishes himself with specious, unverifiable utterances.”
