Yunusa Tanko, the spokesperson for Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has raised concerns over what he describes as a fresh attempt to smear Obi’s reputation through orchestrated blackmail.
Tanko also dismissed allegations of his principal engaging in religious politics.
He made this statement in a press release issued on Friday in Onitsha, Anambra.
According to Tanko, some individuals, posing as civil society and non-governmental organizations, have been recruited by powerful political interests to accuse Peter Obi of religious bias. However, Tanko debunked these claims, stating that the blackmail campaign aims to tarnish Obi’s altruistic motives in supporting underprivileged Nigerians of all faiths.
Tanko emphasized that Peter Obi is well-versed in the constitutional dictates of separating religion and state, as Nigeria is a secular state. He further stated that Obi’s primary concern, both in and out of public office, has always been promoting the welfare of society’s underprivileged, whom he believes deserve a better life due to the country’s abundant human and natural resources.
The statement read, “The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) wishes to alert the public of a fresh orchestrated design to blackmail the 2023 labour party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, by linking him to frivolous, malicious, and unsubstantiated allegations of indulging in religious politics.”
Tanko stated that Obi’s charitable work predates his political career and that he would never be intimidated to change this personal disposition, which he believes is an assignment from his creator.
The spokesperson urged the public to disregard any insinuations of mixing politics with religion and see them as a grand design to limit Obi’s freedom of movement and citizenship welfare actions.
