The Obidient Movement, a political group supporting Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has issued a stern warning to presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga over what they describe as a veiled threat against their principal.
Onanuga, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), had warned Obi to “watch his mouth” after the former governor of Anambra State stated at a colloquium marking Emeka Ihedioha’s 60th birthday that democracy had collapsed in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In response, the Director of Strategic Communications & Media for the Obidient Movement, Nana Kazaure, condemned Onanuga’s remarks, describing them as an attempt to stifle free speech.
“We take strong exception to the uncouth threat issued by this choleric presidential spokesman, whose history of inciting intolerance and division is well-documented. Having noted Mr. Onanuga’s remarks, we ask: ‘Watch his mouth… or what?’ What exactly does Onanuga intend to do if H.E. Peter Obi continues to speak the truth? More directly, what sinister plans does the Tinubu administration have for its critics, whose numbers continue to grow due to the government’s ineptitude and failure to provide sound governance?” the statement read.
The group criticized the government for focusing on silencing dissent rather than addressing Nigeria’s pressing issues.
“If the Tinubu administration had invested even a fraction of the energy and resources it uses to attack critics into actual governance, Nigeria would be in a much better state. Instead, we are left with a government that talks excessively but delivers little to no progress,” the statement added.
The Obidient Movement also warned against dismissing Onanuga’s statement, citing his past rhetoric as a source of political tension.
“As millions of Nigerians grapple with hardship, insecurity, and economic instability caused by a decade of APC misrule, individuals like Mr. Onanuga should reflect on their role in bringing a once-thriving nation to its knees instead of issuing threats.
“The threat against H.E. Peter Obi must not be ignored. The 2023 elections demonstrated how inciting statements from high-ranking APC officials—including Onanuga—contributed to violence, ethnic divisions, and chaos from which the country has yet to recover.
“We are putting Nigerians and the international community on notice: should any harm come to H.E. Peter Obi, his family, or associates, those responsible—including Onanuga—must be held fully accountable,” the statement concluded.
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