News
Presidency dismisses Peter Obi’s safety concerns as false
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.”
National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, has dismissed Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s suggestion that President Bola Tinubu is “tired” and should step aside ahead of the 2027 elections.
The national chairman, who appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, questioned the basis for describing the president as exhausted, insisting that Tinubu continues to work tirelessly while delivering key projects across the country.
“Let me put it this way, epecially to Obi, who claimed that Tinubu is tired—is he (Tinubu) going for boxing or 400 metres?” Yilwatda said. “Are you telling me that the President who stays and works from morning till night is tired? These are the issues we are talking about.”
Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman
He argued that millions of Nigerians benefiting from the administration’s policies would not support calls for Tinubu to retire from office.
“Are you telling me that over a million students and mothers who depend heavily on and celebrate NELFUND would be praying that the President be retired?” he asked.
Yilwatda also pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the development of new seaports in Calabar, Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt, Ondo and Lagos, as evidence of the administration’s commitment to national development.
“Are you telling me that over a million students and mothers who depend heavily on and celebrate NELFUND would have prayers that the President be retired?” he asked.
Yilwatda also cited several infrastructure projects as evidence that the administration remains focused on delivering its agenda, pointing to the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as well as new seaport developments across the country.
“Are you telling me that people who have the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar, to Akwa Ibom and Port Harcourt, or the five seaports in Calabar, Akwa Ibom, Port Harcourt, Ondo and Lagos, are those who wish that the President be retired?” he said.
The APC chairman further referenced the ongoing modernization of Nigeria’s aviation sector, saying the extensive airport upgrade projects supervised by the Minister of Aviation reflect a government actively investing in critical infrastructure.
“I am sure you watched the renewal of airports being upgraded by the Minister of Aviation. This and many others, even in the North,” he added.
According to Yilwatda, the administration’s investments in education, transportation, maritime infrastructure and aviation demonstrate that President Tinubu remains fully engaged in governing the country, contrary to claims that he is too tired to continue in office.
Yilwatda’s comments follow remarks of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi who, in a sit-down interview with Channels TV interview, stated that President Bola Tinubu is “tired” and lacks the capacity to lead Nigeria, calling for him to step aside and retire ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Enugu State Government has suspended Igwe Christopher Nyia, the traditional ruler of Obeagu Ugwuaji Autonomous Community in Enugu South Local Government Area, following a prolonged leadership crisis in the community.
Handing over the letter of suspension to the monarch, the state commissioner for chieftaincy matters, Dr. Charles Egumgbe, said an administrative panel of inquiry had been constituted to investigate both the immediate and underlying causes of the crisis, as well as the allegations made against the traditional ruler.
The commissioner said the suspension was approved by Governor Peter Mbah in the interest of peace, public order and good governance.
The government’s action followed events of July 16, 2026, when residents of Obeagu Ugwuaji staged a peaceful protest to the Enugu State Secretariat Complex, the Enugu State House of Assembly and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, where they demanded the immediate dethronement of the traditional ruler over allegations of land grabbing and financial impropriety.
Obeagu Ugwuaji natives demand dethronement of Monarch
Some natives of Obeagu Ugwuaji community had on Thursday, July 16, 2026 demanded the dethronement of the embattled traditional ruler over alleged land-grabbing and administrative high-handedness.
The protesters gathered at the front of the Government House, Enugu, to lodge their complaints. They were led by their Town Union President, Chukwunonso Obi.
After making a brief appearance at the Government House, bearing placards with different inscriptions, they thereafter marched to the Enugu State House of Assembly complex and the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs.
They were received at the assembly complex by the member representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Honourable Anthony Okoye, who commended them for being peaceful.
Okoye said the House of Assembly has the constitutional mandate to oversee matters relating to local government administration and chieftaincy affairs in the state.
According to him, “The House of Assembly oversights both the Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs, including the town union government in all the local governments and localities of the state. We are going to activate the power of our oversight over their complaints.”
• His wife, driver, security guard shot
A serving Nigerian military intelligence officer, Colonel Abdussalam A. Ude, was shot dead after putting up fierce resistance against armed assailants who attempted to abduct him at his residence in the Kurudu District of Abuja, according to PRNigeria.
The officer, from Enugu State, was regarded as a dedicated professional due for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General next year.
PRNigeria reports that the attackers ambushed the senior officer shortly after he arrived at his home, opening fire as he alighted from his vehicle on Monday evening.
The gunmen attempted to abduct the officer, but he fought back despite being heavily outnumbered, refusing to surrender to his attackers.
His resistance, security sources said, prevented the assailants from taking him away alive, although they subsequently shot him multiple times at close range.
During the attack, the gunmen also opened fire on members of his household, leaving his wife, driver, and security guard with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
The victims were rushed to hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
Security sources described Colonel Ude as a courageous and highly respected intelligence officer who remained composed even in the face of imminent danger.
One source familiar with the preliminary investigation said: “He resisted them.
“From what investigators have gathered, they wanted to take him away, but he fought back.
“Unfortunately, he paid the ultimate price.”
The circumstances surrounding the attack remain under investigation, while security agencies have launched efforts to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Before his death, Colonel Ude served in several strategic military intelligence and counter-terrorism appointments within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He participated in numerous operations against insurgents in Nigeria’s North East and was deployed on specialised international assignments, including missions in the Republic of Chad and France, where he contributed to intelligence and security cooperation efforts.
His burial was scheduled to take place in Mambilla Mosque in Abuja on Tuesday in accordance with Islamic rites.
The killing has once again raised concerns over attacks targeting serving and retired military personnel, particularly within the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident recalls the killing of retired Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere, who was murdered on June 22, 2024 after armed men invaded his residence at Sunshine Homes Estate in the Lokogoma area of Abuja.
Udokwere was reportedly stabbed to death while attempting to defend his family before the attackers escaped with his firearm and other valuables.
Security experts say the latest attack is likely to intensify calls for enhanced security measures for serving and retired military officers, especially those who have held sensitive operational and intelligence appointments.
Investigations into Colonel Ude’s killing are ongoing, with security agencies working to determine the motive behind the attack and bring those responsible to justice.
PRNigeria
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