Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, has distanced himself from an allegedly leaked phone conversation between himself and Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide aka Winners Chapel.
The audio clip was released by an online medium, causing tensions between Obi’s supporters, known as Obidients, and several of their political opponents, both online and offline.
While Oyedepo stated on Sunday that he had never campaigned for any candidate or spoken to any group on their behalf, Obi did not speak publicly until two days later, when he replied to accusations made by Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture.
The LP candidate, on the other hand, took to Twitter on Wednesday to deny the audio’s authenticity, claiming that he has consistently kept his focus on an issue-based campaign while seeking a new Nigeria marked by inclusion, justice, equity, fairness, and prosperity.
“I repeatedly stated that no one should vote for me based on Tribe or Religion, but rather on the assessment of Character, Competence, Capacity, Credibility, and Compassion that can be trusted to create a New Nigeria!” he said.
Obi condemned current efforts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the APC-led government to divert attention away from “our blatantly stolen mandate” through some government officials and agencies.
According to him, these have manifested in different ways, “such as the malicious accusation of the Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed, the circulation of a fake doctored audio call, and a pressure on me to leave the country”.
He added, “Let me reiterate that the audio call being circulated is fake, and at no time throughout the campaign and now did I ever say, think, or even imply that the 2023 election is, or was a religious war.”
While condemning the “manipulation” of Nigerians as “very sad and wicked,” the LP candidate stated that his legal team had been directed to take proper legal action against the online medium in issue and others.
The former governor of Anambra urged all concerned Nigerians and the international community to encourage the APC and the APC-led government to halt “their nasty attacks.”
He stated that his focus and dedication to “recovering our mandate to secure and unite our Nation,” among other goals, remain unaltered.
“Elections are over, and we are in court to retrieve our stolen mandate. Let me reiterate that we are doing so through all lawful and peaceful options in line with our legal system and constitution, and I continue to implore all Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
“Those fixated with heating up the polity, creating divisions, tensions and hatred within and outside Nigeria should remember that Nigeria is our only country,” he said.
Allegations of phone tracking and leakage
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) denied claims of phone call tracking and leakage on Tuesday, claiming that such actions are illegal and cannot be carried out.
It made the claim after allegedly receiving a flood of inquiries about claims of telephone “tracking” and “leakage” made by some people and groups on social media.
The commission’s remarks come in the midst of a contentious audio recording.
According to the audio, Peter Obi and Bishop David Oyedepo are having a phone discussion.
Obi, for his part, insisted in a tweet that his campaign was not about ethnicity or faith.
‘I’ve Never Sponsored Anti-State Action’
In the midst of tensions over a rumored plot to install an interim government, Lai Mohammed, the information minister, conducted a news conference in Washington DC, warning Obi not to incite violence.
Mohammed warned the former governor against allegedly treasonous rhetoric, accusing him of failing to accept Bola Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 presidential poll.
However, Obi dismissed the allegations as the newest in a long line of attempts to portray him in a way that is diametrically opposed to who he is.
“In the past few days, I have observed various campaigns of calumny directed at my person, with the latest being allegations attributed to the information Minister Lai Mohammed from Washington DC,” he said in part.
“I have never discussed or encouraged anyone to undermine the Nigerian state; I have never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state.”
