The Presidency has dismissed claims by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that he is being targeted by the Federal Government, describing the allegations as false, misleading, and without basis.

Obi had said he may not be alive to contest the next presidential election, alleging that the Federal Government is systematically frustrating his activities and targeting opposition figures.

He said this during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo.

A clip of the interview was shared on Jideonwo’s X handle on Wednesday.

Speaking on the possibility of participating in the 2027 presidential race, the former Anambra State governor said the challenges he faces had become so intense that he could not even be certain he would still be alive by then.

“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive,” he said.

Reacting in a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Obi’s recent claims, including an alleged incident involving his vehicle at an airport and fears about his safety ahead of the 2027 general election, were unfounded and lacked credible evidence.

Onanuga described Obi as a “pathological and serial liar,” hellbent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters.

He said: “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.”

The presidential spokesman further stated that the federal government had no interest in targeting Fidelity Bank, in which Obi is said to have a substantial interest, stressing that the financial institution continues to thrive under the current administration’s economic reforms.

Onanuga stressed the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains focused on implementing reforms designed to strengthen the economy and improve the welfare of Nigerians, rather than engaging in political distractions.

He added: “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.”

The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has directed security personnel not to hesitate in confronting armed bandits and terrorists, declaring that any operative who fails to neutralise criminals under the excuse of awaiting orders would be treated as collaborating with them.

Musa gave the charge on Wednesday in Sokoto State while commissioning 62 operational vehicles and security equipment worth ₦27.127 billion procured by the Sokoto State Government to strengthen security operations across the state.

“Once you are deployed, do not wait for any order from anybody to shoot any bandit or any terrorist,” the minister declared.

“Anybody who refuses to shoot or kill any bandit or terrorist in the name of waiting for an order, we will treat you like a bandit.”

The minister described the intervention as a demonstration of strategic leadership and praised Governor Ahmed Aliyu for consistently supporting security agencies with logistics and operational equipment.

“This event is not merely the unveiling of security assets. It is a demonstration of strategic leadership, responsible governance and our collective determination to strengthen the security architecture of Sokoto State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said.

Musa, who described himself as “a proud son of Sokoto,” said the state had remained one of the most peaceful in the country due to collaboration among the government, security agencies and residents.

He noted that the newly commissioned armoured vehicles and tactical equipment would improve operational mobility, intelligence gathering and force protection in the fight against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping.

The Minister of Defence, however, cautioned security personnel against neglecting the newly acquired assets.

“This equipment costs billions of naira. We don’t want to hand them over and then you throw them away or mishandle them. They must serve the purpose for which they were procured,” he said.

While urging officers to remain professional, Musa reminded them to protect innocent citizens while taking decisive action against criminals.

“You are not to go there and extort or harass the people. You are there to protect them and work with them to eliminate bandits and terrorists operating within your area,” he added.

Earlier, Governor Ahmed Aliyu said the latest intervention formed part of his administration’s sustained investment in security since assuming office.

According to him, the state government procured bulletproof vehicles, Buffalo Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), 320 motorcycles, 3,200 security gadgets, 2,000 bulletproof helmets and vests, 200 night-vision goggles, thermal devices and other tactical equipment.

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“In all, we are distributing 62 vehicles and the security equipment highlighted above. These vehicles and security equipment cost the Sokoto State Government ₦27.127 billion,” the governor said.

Aliyu disclosed that the state had previously spent over ₦36 billion on security interventions, including operational vehicles, motorcycles, military and police barracks, the establishment of the Sokoto State Community Guard Corps and support for the Nigerian Air Force Base.

The governor also revealed that his administration had forwarded a bill to the State House of Assembly seeking stiffer penalties for informants aiding bandits.

“The bill is currently before the State House of Assembly and once it is passed, we will sign it without any further delay,” he said.

He added that the government had approved the establishment of a Command and Control Centre to enhance surveillance and coordination of security operations across the state.

Governor Aliyu appealed to residents to continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, stressing that defeating banditry requires a collective effort.

“Security is a collective responsibility and together we shall overcome every security challenge confronting our state,” he said.

Residents of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, have been thrown into mourning following the killing of Professor Gabriel Nyityo, a senior lecturer in the Department of History at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, formerly known as Benue State University.

The professor was reportedly shot dead by the unidentified gunmen who invaded his residence in the Adaka area, behind the Makurdi Industrial Layout, in the early hours of Wednesday.

Security sources said the assailants attacked the academic at about 3 a.m., fatally shooting him inside his home before fleeing the scene.

The killing has sent shockwaves through the university community, with colleagues and residents describing the late professor as a peaceful and respected scholar.

A lecturer at the university, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed grief over the incident.

“WE HEARD ABOUT THE news TODAY. IT IS SAD AND UNFORTUNATE. PROF. NYITYO IS A PEACE LOVING PERSON. I HEARD THAT THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AROUND 3 A.M. ON WEDNESDAY AT HIS RESIDENCE AT ADAKA. MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE. AMEN.”News

Following the attack, sympathisers were seen trooping to the deceased’s residence to commiserate with his family, while his remains have since been deposited in a mortuary.

Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, neither answered calls nor responded to enquiries on the incident as of the time of filing this report.