In the aftermath of the February 25 presidential election, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has spoken out against the social media attack on Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, has distanced himself and his supporters from the onslaught, attributing it to a plot by the opposition to “create confusion and bad blood.”
The controversy erupted when Pastor Adeboye declared that President-elect Bola Tinubu could bring about positive change in Nigeria with God’s help.
The statement sparked heavy criticism and led to a barrage of negative comments on social media platforms.
However, Obi took to his Twitter handle to clarify his stance and disassociate himself from the attack on the revered clergyman.
“The use of subterfuge by people masquerading as Obidients to abuse and insult eminent personalities like Most Reverend Pastor Enoch Adeboye or anyone else is most unacceptable,” Obi expressed in a series of tweets.
“Obidients are by and large, law-abiding citizens. While differences of opinion are normal, calculated efforts to create ethnic or religious chasm all in the name of politics should not in any way be tolerated. As a person, I eschew name-calling, insults, and abuses, likewise most of my supporters.”
Obi emphasized that the suggestion that some fringe elements engage in such conduct overlooks the fact that the political opposition employs such tactics to gain an unfair advantage and sow discord among the people.
He called for a rejection of these divisive tactics and appealed for unity and respect in the political discourse.
The Obi-Datti Media Office, in a statement signed by the Head of the Media Office, Diran Onifade, further reinforced Obi’s position and dissociated Obi and his supporters from the social media attacks on Pastor Adeboye.
The statement condemned the campaign of Calumny, stating that it was yet another desperate attempt by the opposition to tarnish Obi’s reputation.
“Our attention has been drawn to yet another campaign of calumny emanating from opposition ranks, this time blaming ‘Obidients’ for recent unjustified social media attacks on the revered General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye,” the statement read.
“We wish to state categorically that supporters of Mr. Peter Obi, like their Principal, have great respect for Pastor Adeboye, indeed every responsible and respectable Nigerian, and therefore are not involved in any social media hounding of the revered man of God, most especially over a statement he did not make.”
The media office expressed dismay at the recurrent pattern of blaming Obi’s supporters for orchestrated attacks, labeling it a ploy to undermine Obi’s credibility and legitimacy.
They urged Nigerians to see through these tactics and focus on the issues that truly matter.
“Nigerians are aware by now that issuing personal insults is not Peter Obi’s character, and he does not encourage his followers to engage in the same,” the statement concluded.
