It's lunacy, Obi replies coup plot allegation on him

Nigeria's opposition leader and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi has described as lunacy the allegation against him that he is plotting to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Peter Obi who spoke through his media aide, Valentine Obienyem, said that if Nigeria was not a joke, those who made the accusation on him and others would have been arrested to entertain the veracity of the claim.

Obienyem said that the allegation is not anly reckless but seditious and absurd, a joke taken too far by one Mr. Arabambi.

Arabambi had alleged that Mr Peter Obi, alongside the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, President, Joe Ajaero, Senator Victor Umeh, and members of the Nenadi Usman faction, are plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.

But Obienyem said, “This allegation is not just absurd, it is dangerous. Why has the man not been arrested? Coup plotting is not child’s play. It is a serious national security offence. To casually accuse citizens, especially prominent and responsible figures of attempting to topple a democratically elected government is not only reckless but seditious in itself.

“In a functional society, such an accuser would be arrested immediately to give a fuller account of what he knows. Who is this man, and why hasn’t he been arrested? If his allegation carries any weight, then the security agencies must take it seriously by interrogating him thoroughly, identifying his sources, and presenting evidence.

“However, if, as it appears, this is mere political mischief, he must face the full consequences of peddling such a dangerous falsehood. Why are we like this in this country, so frivolous with matters of grave national importance?”

“A coup is not a term to be bandied around like a political insult. It is treason. To accuse someone of it, especially in a democratic society, is to risk social unrest, undermine confidence in our institutions, and endanger lives. This is not politics; it is lunacy dressed in propaganda.

“Nigeria deserves better than this brand of politics. We must not allow desperation and factional rivalry to blind us to the red lines of national stability and security.”