Peter Obi Reacts to Allegation of Coup Plot to Remove Tinubu, "Red Lines"

• Valentine Obienyem, media aide to the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, described allegations that his principal is plotting a coup to oust President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as lunacy and a joke taken too far
• While describing the allegations credited to Abayomi Arabambi as “reckless and absurd”, Obienyem said in a functional society, “such an accuser would be arrested immediately"
• As Nigerians look forward to the 2027 general elections, Obienyem echoed the reaction of his principal via a statement titled: 'Coup Plot Allegation: A Dangerous Joke Taken Too Far'

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering elections, politics, and governance in Nigeria.

FCT, Abuja - Valentine Obienyem, media aide to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, has denied allegations that his principal plans to organise a one-million-man march against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and topple it.

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Legit.ng recalls that Obi's faction of the LP had alleged that security agencies were harassing its leaders, based on what it called “a malicious petition” purportedly written by Abayomi Arabambi, said to have impersonated LP’s national spokesperson.

This was contained in a statement by Mrs. Ken Asogwa, senior special adviser, media to the interim national chairman of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman, on Wednesday, July 30.

The faction claimed that Arabambi alleged in his petition that key LP leaders like Obi; Joe Ajaero, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President; Senator Victor Umeh; and members of the Usman-led LP caucus were plotting to overthrow the Tinubu administration.

Peter Obi’s aide slams coup allegation

But reacting further via a statement shared on his known Facebook page on Thursday, July 31, Obienyem said it is absurd and dangerous for anyone to insinuate that Obi is plotting with his allies to overthrow President Tinubu’s government.

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He wrote:

"Coup plotting is not child’s play. It is a serious national security offence. To casually accuse citizens - especially prominent and responsible figures - of attempting to topple a democratically elected government is not only reckless but seditious in itself.

"In a functional society, such an accuser would be arrested immediately to give a fuller account of what he knows. Who is this man, and why hasn’t he been arrested? If his allegation carries any weight, then the security agencies must take it seriously - by interrogating him thoroughly, identifying his sources, and presenting evidence. But if, as it appears, this is mere political mischief, he must face the full consequences of peddling such a dangerous falsehood."

Obienyem added:

"A coup is not a term to be bandied around like a political insult. It is treason. To accuse someone of it, especially in a democratic society, is to risk social unrest, undermine confidence in our institutions, and endanger lives. This is not politics; it is lunacy dressed in propaganda.

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"Nigeria deserves better than this brand of politics. We must not allow desperation and factional rivalry to blind us to the red lines of national stability and security."

Bashir El-Rufai backs Obi against Tinubu

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Bashir El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, said Obi as a presidential flagbearer "with a strong northern candidate" would defeat President Tinubu in the 2027 election.

In a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) page, El-Rufai acknowledged the political strengths of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Obi.

Source: Legit.ng