Presidency refutes Peter Obi's claims of being targeted by Tinubu government
The Presidency, through Special Adviser Bayo Onanuga, has refuted claims by 2027 presidential candidate Peter Obi that he is being targeted by President Bola Tinubu's administration. Onanuga described Obi's allegations—including that his life is under threat and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events—as "unfounded and misleading" and a "fabricated narrative", adding that they are designed to attract sympathy and deflect from Obi's credibility deficit and the NDC's problems.
Speaking on Wednesday night (July 8, 2026), Onanuga accused Obi of dragging the government into every personal inconvenience and resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations. He specifically mocked Obi's reference to an airport incident where officials allegedly locked his car, arguing it resulted from Obi flouting parking regulations. Onanuga also noted that Obi has substantial interest in Fidelity Bank, which continues to thrive under the Tinubu government's economic reforms, and stressed that the government is not targeting the bank.
The Presidency maintains it is fully focused on delivering beneficial reforms for Nigerians and has neither the time nor inclination to be distracted by Obi's "self-serving narratives and lies". This exchange highlights the growing political tension ahead of the 2027 election, with Obi's credibility being challenged by the ruling party. As the campaign season intensifies, how should voters assess such conflicting narratives between opposition candidates and the Presidency when making their electoral decisions?