Presidency Slams Peter Obi’s ‘False Intimidation Claims’ 

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga labels Obi a “pathological and serial liar” over allegations of government persecution and safety threats ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Presidency has strongly dismissed allegations by Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi that he is being targeted by the Federal Government, describing the claims as false and an attempt to portray himself as a victim. In a statement titled “Peter Obi’s New Lies,” the Presidency said Obi’s recent comments alleging intimidation by the government were unfounded and designed to attract public sympathy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Mr Obi had claimed in an interview on the With Chude podcast that he faces systematic harassment and may not be alive to contest the 2027 election. He cited specific incidents to support his claims, including an airport incident where he alleged that officials locked his vehicle while other cars parked in the same area were left untouched, and officials dismissed his complaint. He also claimed that associates avoid greeting him publicly for fear of becoming government targets, and that some families have invited him to events only to ask him not to attend. Additionally, Obi stated that the government is deliberately frustrating his daily activities, adding, “Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so.”

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Reacting to these allegations, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, rejected the claims, insisting that the Tinubu administration had neither the time nor the inclination to persecute the former Anambra State governor. Onanuga argued that the airport issue resulted from Obi flouting parking regulations, not from any government action, stating that “Peter Obi’s recent claims of being targeted by the government—citing an incident involving his car at the airport, which, by his own account, must have resulted from flouting parking regulations—are simply unfounded and misleading.”

The presidential spokesman went further, dismissing Obi’s claims as a fabricated narrative and using strong language to describe the NDC candidate. He called Obi a “pathological and serial liar” who is intent on dragging the government into every personal inconvenience he encounters, often resorting to exaggeration and baseless allegations. Onanuga also addressed Obi’s claim that he may not be alive for the January 2027 election and that people are being pressured not to invite him to social events, describing this as “nothing more than a fabricated narrative, a page from his book of lies and propaganda.”

The Presidency also rejected suggestions that the government was targeting Fidelity Bank due to Obi’s reported interests in the financial institution. According to the statement, the bank “continues to thrive under the current administration’s economic reforms,” adding that there was no basis for claims that it was under any form of government persecution. “Rather than being ‘haunted’ by the government, Mr Obi appears to be grappling with the consequences of his litany of unfounded statements,” the statement said.

The Presidency maintained that President Bola Tinubu’s administration remained focused on implementing economic reforms and improving the welfare of Nigerians. It added that the government would not be distracted by what it described as Obi’s “self-serving narratives” and insisted that the administration’s priority remained consolidating reforms for national development.

Presidency Slams Peter Obi’s ‘False Intimidation Claims’ 

I may not be alive to contest, Peter Obi alleges systematic persecution

Former Peter Obi has expressed fears for his safety ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying he may not live long enough to contest the presidential race as he accused the government of systematically frustrating his businesses and targeting opposition figures.

Obi made the remarks during an interview on With Chude, hosted by media personality Chude Jideonwo, excerpts of which were shared on X on Wednesday.

Asked whether he would definitely be on the ballot in 2027, the former Anambra State governor responded that his participation was far from certain.

“Not even a candidate. I might not even be alive. I’m telling you. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. Everything. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive,” he said.

Although Obi stopped short of making a direct accusation against the government, he maintained that his businesses and daily activities are being deliberately obstructed, insisting that the pattern of events points to targeted harassment.

According to him, the alleged intimidation extends beyond his person, claiming that opposition figures across the country are facing similar treatment.

“They are attacking everybody who is in opposition personally,” he said, adding that he has also been denied benefits and privileges due to him.

To buttress his claim, Obi recounted an incident at an airport where, according to him, officials locked his vehicle while leaving other parked vehicles untouched. He said that even after identifying himself, the officer in charge ignored his complaint.

“But I said, ‘Look at the cars of other people.’ And you could see them talking to each other, as if, ‘Who is this one?'” he recalled.

Obi further claimed that the atmosphere of fear has become so pervasive that some of his associates now avoid being seen with him publicly, while others have asked him not to attend their family events to avoid possible repercussions.

“I have people send me invitations and say, ‘My son, my daughter is wedding, but please don’t come,'” he said.

Deregistration: Court adjourns hearing on ADC, four other political parties’ appeal

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has adjourned until Tuesday, July 14, 2026, the hearing of an appeal challenging the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party, Action Alliance (AA), Action Peoples Party (APP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The appellate court granted the adjournment after lawyers representing the parties informed the court that although some legal processes had been filed and served, they were yet to receive and respond to all outstanding briefs necessary for the hearing of the appeal.

The appeal seeks to overturn a judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the five political parties over their alleged failure to meet constitutional requirements relating to electoral performance.

When the matter came up on Monday before a three-member panel led by Justice Abubakar Mohammed, counsel for all parties jointly requested more time to complete the exchange of legal documents.

The lawyers explained that they had filed and served some of their processes but were still awaiting response briefs from other parties before the substantive hearing could proceed.

After listening to the applications, the appellate court granted the request and fixed July 14 for hearing.

The court also directed all parties to ensure that every outstanding brief of argument is filed and served before the adjourned date to avoid further delays and enable the appeal to proceed on its merits.

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The latest adjournment follows an earlier postponement from June 25 to July 7, which was granted after counsel to the Accord Party, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), informed the court that the record of appeal and the certified copy of the Federal High Court judgment had only recently been transmitted to the Court of Appeal.

According to the senior advocate, the transmission of the court records was necessary before parties could prepare, file and exchange their respective briefs of argument.

None of the parties opposed the request for an adjournment at the time, prompting the appellate court to grant additional time for the completion of the legal processes.

The legal dispute originated from a judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party.

Justice Lifu held that the affected political parties failed to satisfy the constitutional threshold stipulated under Section 225 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) regarding electoral performance in previous general elections.

The trial court ruled that the parties did not secure the minimum constitutional requirements to remain registered political parties and consequently directed INEC to remove them from its register.

The judgment further restrained the electoral commission from recognising the affected parties, accepting candidates nominated by them or allowing them to participate in the 2027 general elections.

Justice Lifu also ordered the parties to stop presenting themselves as registered political parties in Nigeria after upholding a suit instituted by the National Forum of Former Legislators (NFFL).

However, the ruling immediately generated legal challenges after the affected parties argued that the Federal High Court proceeded to deliver its judgment despite an earlier order of the Court of Appeal directing the trial court to stay proceedings pending the determination of an interlocutory appeal already before the appellate court.

In an earlier unanimous ruling, the Court of Appeal strongly criticised the action of the lower court, describing it as a breach of judicial hierarchy and constitutional procedure.

Justice Abubakar Mohammed observed that once a superior court issues an order, lower courts are constitutionally bound to comply with it until it is set aside.

He stressed that the appellate court has a duty to preserve the integrity of the judicial process and ensure obedience to its orders.

Consequently, the Court of Appeal ordered a stay of execution of Justice Lifu’s judgment pending the determination of the substantive appeal.

The decision effectively suspended the enforcement of the deregistration order, allowing the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party to retain their legal status until the appeal is finally determined.

The outcome of the appeal is expected to have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly following recent political realignments involving opposition parties.

The ADC, which has recently attracted several prominent opposition politicians, is widely regarded as one of the parties that could play a major role in the build-up to the next presidential election.

The Court of Appeal is expected to begin substantive hearing of the appeal on July 14, provided all parties comply with its directive to file and exchange all outstanding briefs before the adjourned date.

Deregistration: Court adjourns hearing on ADC, four other political parties’ appeal