By John Ikani
The Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Office has released a statement detailing the harassment of Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), by Immigration officers at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom.
According to the statement signed by Diran Onifade, the Spokesman for the Campaign Council, “Mr. Obi was detained and interrogated over a case of identity duplication, which insinuates that someone has been impersonating him in London.”
Mr. Onifade stated that Mr. Obi, who just returned from London after celebrating Easter, arrived at Heathrow Airport on Good Friday, April 7, 2023, and was accosted by Immigration officials who handed him a detention note and instructed him to step aside.
“The former Anambra State governor was questioned for a long time, which was unusual for someone who had lived for over a decade in the UK. Nigerians at the airport, who quickly recognized him, voiced their opposition to the treatment meted out to him.”
Mr. Onifade further explained that the impersonator could be committing weighty crimes and other dubious acts in Obi’s name, “which could be a significant problem for him, his family, his party, the Obedient Movement, and indeed Nigeria, where he remains a conscience of the people.”
The Obi-Datti Media office went on to note Mr. Obi has been subjected to various attacks since the February 25th, 2023 Presidential election, in which “many observers believe he won but was manipulated to third position out of 18 contestants as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).”
It said some of the attacks include “bugging his phone lines, de-marketing him, accusing him of treason, and attempting to persuade him to leave the country.”
The Obi-Datti Media office assured all persons of goodwill, especially the Obidients, that “Mr. Obi remains undeterred and is ready to pursue whatever path his creator has destined for him in Nigeria.”
The Campaign Office spokesman reiterated Mr. Obi’s commitment to a better Nigeria, where the people will live in a secure and productive country they will all be proud to own.
It added that Mr. Obi has returned to the country and has continued his charity work by visiting health and educational institutions, making donations, and receiving awards.