The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the deliberate and orchestrated efforts by certain individuals to blackmail him into conforming to their nefarious agendas.

On his verified Facebook page, the former Anambra governor revealed that these dubious moves have led to the false circulation of videos and misinformation aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

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Obi highlighted a particular video from his keynote speech at the installation of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State.

He clarified that his speech focused on declaring war on economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption, not on any group of people.

However, the video was twisted to falsely suggest that he had declared war on Northerners.

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Additionally, another video falsely depicting him leading a protest in Abuja was also debunked.

He explained that the video was taken during his visit to the Labour Party headquarters, where he mediated a clash between the Labour Party and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

“The video was conveniently edited to create a false narrative, and those responsible have been paid to spread this misinformation,” Obi stated.

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“This kind of misinformation has no place in our democracy, where truth and honesty should prevail,” he emphasized, underscoring his commitment to a new Nigeria based on justice, equity, and care for all citizens, rather than the greed of a few.

Peter Obi expressed deep concern over genocidal threats against the Igbo tribe circulating on social media platform X, calling for their relocation.

He warned that such rhetoric threatens national unity and contradicts the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to live and work freely anywhere in the country.

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He called on those in authority to show leadership and urgently speak out against such divisive rhetoric.

Obi urged immediate action to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those behind these heinous agendas, serving as a deterrent to others who might consider pursuing similar paths that threaten national security and unity.

“I urge all Nigerians to stand united against this divisive rhetoric and to champion unity, tolerance, and understanding. Our future depends on our ability to live and work together harmoniously,” he said.

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He called on the government and security agencies to act swiftly to protect the fundamental principle of freedom from fear of discrimination or persecution.

He emphasized that only by acting together as one people united under God can the nation overcome its current challenges.

Amid the nationwide protests that began on Thursday, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, was seen at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor arrived in a black Toyota Prado SUV and was ushered into the President’s office.

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Although the specific topic of discussion was not disclosed, it is believed to pertain to the hunger protests that have made the FCT a focal point of unrest.

Demonstrators gathered in large numbers in the central business district and surrounding areas, leading to clashes with security forces who used tear gas to disperse them.

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Wike assured that the Federal Government is willing to engage in dialogue with the protesters.

He made these remarks during a ceremony where he handed over the Staff of Office to newly coronated Chiefs of Karu, Kwali, Pai, and Yaba in Abuja.

The minister praised protesters for maintaining peace and encouraged them to continue doing so.

He emphasized the importance of dialogue to resolve their grievances.

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“I commend you for your peaceful conduct and urge you to keep it up. It is better to have a dialogue and resolve the issues,” Wike said. “We are ready to talk, to have a dialogue, and to iron out the grey areas. We will also brief you on things you may not know, so you can make informed decisions.”

Highlighting Abuja’s role as the “centre of unity,” Wike stated, “Abuja belongs to all Nigerians; losing Abuja means losing Nigeria. Let’s work together to achieve progress under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Give him time, and things will improve.”

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Addressing the newly coronated chiefs, Wike stressed the critical role of traditional rulers in governance.

He noted that they are closest to the grassroots and have the responsibility to communicate the government’s actions and policies to the people accurately.

“You are the bridge between the government and the people. You know their feelings and can convey whether the government is making an impact. Your role is pivotal,” he said.

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Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on the government to stop mobilizing youths to disrupt rallies and instead engage with demonstrators expressing their grievances.

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Falana made this statement during an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Thursday evening.

He emphasized the need for government officials to identify and engage with those genuinely aggrieved by the current economic conditions in Nigeria, marked by rising poverty and the high cost of living.

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“We must also learn to stop mobilising people to disrupt rallies, we must stop mobilising traditional rulers and some emergency organisations to say, ‘we are pulling out of the protests,’” Falana said.

“The government must now begin to identify those who are genuinely aggrieved and then begin to engage them, ‘what are your complaints?’ So that people will have a sense of belonging.”

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Falana also criticized the Lagos and Ogun state governments, as well as the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), for swiftly obtaining court orders that restrict protesters to designated areas.

“These orders limit demonstrations to specific locations such as Freedom and Peace Parks in Lagos, the MKO National Stadium in the FCT, and several sites in Ogun State.”

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Falana argued that the court orders were obtained just 24 hours before the protest started, likely leaving insufficient time to properly notify the demonstrators.

“I think the government should have learnt not to rush to court on the eve of a strike action by workers, or the eve of a protest by young people because the difficulty with such orders is that they are never served on those they are made to restrain,” he explained.

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“For instance, the order in Lagos was not served on anybody, the orders in Ogun State were not served on anybody, the order in Abuja, I think one of the defendants is said to be ‘unknown persons.’ Now, how do you serve court orders on unknown persons?”

Falana suggested that the government could designate protest venues well in advance, noting that it had over two weeks’ notice of the protest. This would allow sufficient time to inform protesters of any restrictions without needing a court order.”

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“In Lagos, largely today, from my information, people came from as far as about 30–40 km away to participate in the protest in Ojota. Again, that is the venue that was being used for protest before the government sealed it off.”

“Ditto for Abuja, protesters were using an enclosure, the Unity Fountain; it is a stone’s throw from Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The government in Abuja, the FCT Administration, sealed it off. So, people then went to the street.”

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“If the government is now coming back to say in every state capital, we want to designate a venue, a protest ground, as is done in many countries of the world, again, I think that is a lesson to learn.

“But don’t rush to court when you have at least two weeks’ notice of an impending protest. Don’t rush to court on the eve of that protest because even if the court makes that order, it’s not going to be served on people practically.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, announced that security agencies have identified a senator as a key sponsor of the ongoing anti-government protests.

This revelation came following an emergency FCT Security Council meeting held Thursday night in Abuja.

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Wike explained that the senator in question arranged for security operatives to escort a truckload of food supplies intended for the protesters.

He assured that the relevant agencies would summon the senator for questioning in due time.

While acknowledging that protests are a democratic right, Wike emphasized the importance of respecting the court order that confines protest activities to the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

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“We had previously stated that we would continue to brief the press as we monitor the protests against bad governance and hunger in the country,” Wike said. “This is a democratic government, and we must adhere to the rule of law. Protesting is an entitlement, allowing the government to address the raised issues. Obeying the rule of law means obeying court orders.”

Wike reiterated the government’s efforts to improve the lives of the people and highlighted the recent court order, which did not stop protests but restricted them to the National Stadium.

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He expressed concerns about the potential for miscreants to hijack the protests and cause property destruction within the FCT, as seen in other states where protests resulted in loss of lives.

“If such incidents occur in the FCT, it would have significant implications, especially with the international community conducting their businesses here,” Wike noted.

He pointed to an attempted breach at the Eagle Square and warned that security agencies have intelligence suggesting plans for further property destruction and potential loss of lives.

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“The security agencies will not permit that,” Wike asserted. “Every protester should go to the MKO Abiola stadium and protest there, as per the court’s directive.”

He also disclosed that a senator had invited security agencies to assist in providing food for the protesters, which he described as sponsorship.

“A senator providing food for protesters. At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator to explain why he is sponsoring activities against the government,” Wike concluded.