Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has publicly condemned the circulation of manipulated videos that he claims are being used to blackmail him.
In a statement on X.com on Friday, Obi addressed the issue, providing clarity on the content and context of the videos in question.
Peter Obi stated that one of the videos being circulated online has been taken from a recent keynote speech he delivered. The speech, given during the installation ceremony of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State, focused on tackling critical issues such as economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption.
However, the video has been edited to falsely suggest that he declared war on Northerners. Obi vehemently denied these claims, emphasizing that his actual intent was to discuss the importance of addressing Nigeria’s pressing economic and security challenges.
In addition, Obi debunked another video that purportedly shows him leading a protest in Abuja. He clarified that the footage was actually taken during his visit to the Labour Party headquarters, where he mediated a dispute between the Labour Party and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). The video, according to Obi, has been edited to misrepresent the event and falsely paint him as an agitator leading a protest.
He said, “I have noticed some deliberate and well-orchestrated efforts by some persons to blackmail me into conforming to some of their nefarious agendas.
“Their dubious moves have led to the false circulation of a video from my recent keynote speech at the installation of Rotarian Professor A. U. Nnonyelu in Anambra State. They have twisted the video to suit their motive to suggest that I declared war on Northerners when, in fact, I spoke about declaring war on economic stagnation, insecurity, and corruption.
“Another video circulating online, supposedly showing me leading a protest in Abuja, is also false. The video was actually taken during my visit to the Labour Party HQ, where I mediated a clash between the Labour Party and the NLC.
“The video was conveniently edited to create a false narrative, and those responsible have been paid to spread this misinformation. This kind of misinformation has no place in our democracy, where truth and honesty should prevail.
“This misrepresentation is part of a larger narrative of blackmail, aimed at fitting me into their malicious agenda. I remain committed to a new Nigeria where justice, equity, and caring for the citizens will prevail over the greed of a few.”
