Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized the Presidency for what he describes as a futile effort to undermine his reputation by drawing baseless parallels to the U.S. presidential election.
In a statement issued on Sunday through his Media Office and signed by his spokesman, Ibrahim Umar, Obi condemned these attempts, describing them as “desperate” and accusing the Presidency and its allies of trying to manipulate public opinion with misleading comparisons.
The statement particularly criticized what Obi called “desperate propagandists” for attempting to discredit him by absurdly linking him to Donald Trump, the Republican candidate in the U.S. presidential race. Obi labeled these efforts as ill-conceived and ultimately ineffective in damaging his credibility.
“For these detractors, a day without attempting to negatively link Obi in the media is a missed opportunity,” Umar remarked. He added that when Obi is not being falsely accused of sponsoring violence, he is being maligned through the distortion of his public appearances, with allusions to Trump being the latest smear tactic.
Umar dismissed the comparisons between Obi and Trump, noting the irony in the Presidency’s attempts to draw such parallels. He pointed out that this effort only exposes the administration’s own failings, especially in light of the challenging socio-economic conditions Nigerians are facing.
Nigerians, Umar continued, are not easily fooled by such “empty propaganda” and are well aware of the stark differences between Obi and the current administration. Obi, he said, stands as a beacon of hope for many, known for his integrity, transparency, and commitment to people-centered policies.
Umar concluded by urging Obi’s supporters to remain focused on their collective vision for a better Nigeria, dismissing these latest attacks as desperate attempts by political detractors who are envious of Obi’s growing popularity.
“We understand their frustration,” Umar said, “but instead of promoting failed policies, they resort to cheap propaganda. Obi is not desperate for power; he’s desperate for a working Nigeria.”
