Peter Okoye, PBA Journalism MenteeThe Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Office has explained why the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) Peter Obi was allegedly harassed and detained by immigration officers at Heathrow Airport, the United Kingdom.
Head, Obi-Datti Media, Diran Onifade, in a statement on Wednesday disclosed that Obi was detained and questioned for a alleged duplication offence, which suggests that someone has been impersonating him in London.
He explained that Obi arrived the Heathrow Airport in London from Nigeria on Good Friday, 7th April 2023, for the Easter celebration and joined the queue for the necessary airport protocols when he was approached by an immigration official who handed him a detention note and told him to step aside.
He was, however, saved by the instinctive reaction of Nigerians at Heathrow Airport who demanded to know why he was being detained.
“He was questioned for a long time and it was very strange for a man who lived for over a decade in that country.
“Since Obi’s face was already an international frame, especially for Nigerians, Africans home, and in Diaspora who are likely to be Obidients, the people quickly raised their voices wondering why he was being delayed,” Onifade said.
He also disclosed that the immigration officials were compelled to reveal to people why Obi was being questioned following their reactions.
Onifade explained that such an impersonator could commit any kind of crime and other dubious acts and it would be documented in Obi’s name.
“Since the impersonator is still at large, the scenario is unimaginable as Obi could be implicated in a series of forbidden acts and even be framed in a manner that could be a huge embarrassment to him, his family, his party, the obidient Movement, and indeed Nigeria, where he currently and indisputably remains the conscience of the people,” he added.
He further expressed his concerns on the level of attacks mated on Peter Obi, since the February 25th, 2023 Presidential election.
Even when he was told to go to court, there have been severe attacks on him from all corners especially as he filled his case at the election tribunal.
“Even Federal Government who directed him to go to court even despatched the Minister of Information Lai Mohammad to the United States to attempt at de-marketing him and accused him of treason.
“Obi’s telephone line was also bugged when they were possibly looking for information to portray him badly before a section of the country who had voted for him massively.
“As if they were not getting the desired results of denting his image, and possibly placing the traducers under a heavier conscience load, they tried to persuade him to leave the country and go take a rest.
“It’s also not impossible that those urging him to leave the country may have planted the impersonators ostensibly to tar the Eagle’s immaculate appearance.
“The Obi-Datti Media office will like to therefore assure all persons of goodwill especially the Obidients th Obi is not disclosed as he is even more ready to suffer the pain as he remains even more determined to pursue whoever party his creator destined for him in Nigeria,” he started.
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