The Presidency has rejected allegations by Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), that the Federal Government is targeting him and frustrating his activities, describing the claims as false, misleading and unsupported by evidence. Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga further accused Obi of peddling “lies and propaganda” to gain public sympathy.
The Presidency has fired back at Peter Obi over his recent claims that the Federal Government is frustrating his activities and that he may not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, dismissed Obi’s allegations as unfounded, insisting that the Tinubu administration has no interest in targeting the former Anambra State governor or undermining his political ambitions.
Reacting to Obi’s interview on With Chude, Onanuga described the former governor as “a pathological and serial liar,” accusing him of blaming the Federal Government for what he called personal inconveniences.
According to the presidential spokesman, Obi’s allegations that government officials were frustrating his activities, intimidating his associates and threatening his political future were “fabricated narratives” designed to attract undue sympathy.
Onanuga also dismissed Obi’s suggestion that he might not be alive to participate in the 2027 election, saying the claim lacked evidence and was part of a broader pattern of exaggeration and misinformation.
Obi had earlier alleged that the Federal Government was deliberately frustrating his businesses and public engagements, citing an incident involving his vehicle at an airport and claiming that some associates had become reluctant to be seen publicly with him.
Responding, the Presidency argued that the airport incident appeared to be related to parking regulations rather than political persecution.
Onanuga further noted that Fidelity Bank, in which Obi is reported to have a substantial interest, continues to operate successfully, maintaining that the government has not targeted either the financial institution or Obi’s business interests.
The Presidency maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remains focused on implementing economic reforms and governance priorities rather than engaging in political persecution.
Onanuga urged Obi to refrain from making allegations without evidence, insisting that the administration would not be distracted by what he described as self-serving narratives and political propaganda.
The latest exchange marks another escalation in the growing war of words between the Presidency and opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election. With political rhetoric intensifying, the dispute is expected to fuel further debate over governance, democratic space and the conduct of Nigeria’s political actors as preparations for the next election gather pace.