Patience Leonard, PBA Journalism Mentee
Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi has debunked media reports that he degraded the image of his fellow politicians by saying 70 per cent of them are lunatics.
Some reports that circulated lately quoted Mr. Peter Obi, as saying “70% of Nigerian politicians are lunatics”.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA statement released by Obi’s media office, describing the word as euphemistic, adding that the former Anambra State governor who is not known for “violence of speech” did not make such comment.
“Let it be made clear that Obi, not known for violence of speech, did not make the statement. It is the handiwork of mischief makers, who have been trying, over the years, to quote him out of context or twist his statements in a manner to set him against the people,” the statement reads.
It continued, “Anybody who has listened to Obi, even when he was the governor, would know that he always, when he wants to show that the wrong people have taken over would talk in terms of lunatics taking over the asylum, which plainly means that those that are not supposed to be in a particular place have displaced the rightful people.
“Therefore, the use of “Lunatics,” is always euphemistic. Obi has never and would never use it plainly to designate a given set of people as if to suggest they are mad, as the writer suggested he said about politicians. He cannot so degrade a tribe he belongs to.”
Recall that on June 13th, a day to Obi’s departure to Egypt for a comparative studies between Nigeria and Egypt, he charged all his followers to show respect to all candidates of the parties contesting for 2023 presidential election and every other Nigerian citizens who may hold contrary opinion to his, as he is coming to serve all Nigerians.
“I am a Nigerian running to serve every Nigerian. I urge a show of respect for every candidate, tribe, religion, and person,” Obi had stated.
Also, a popular Twitter influencer as well as an activist, Reno Omokri had accused Peter Obi of disrespect by not cautioning his followers for abusive words hauled on him and Atiku recently.
He consequently posted that Obi’s followers can face the controversial catholic priest, Rev. Mbaka Eijke after a viral video of him declaring that Mr. Obi will not win the 2023 election.
