‘I’m at home in Onitsha’ – Peter Obi debunks arrest rumours

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has dispelled rumours of his arrest, stating that he is currently at his residence in Onitsha, Anambra State.

This clarification comes amid allegations and counter-allegations of death threats between him and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Felix Morka.

In a statement via his official X handle on Wednesday, Obi called on his supporters to ignore the rumour of his alleged arrest, describing the claim as entirely false.

“The recurring fake news about me: I have been made aware of circulating fake news about my alleged arrest. Let me state unequivocally that these claims are entirely false. I am currently at my home in Onitsha, Anambra State. Such fake news about me has become a pastime for some people,” he tweeted.

According to him, a similar rumour was amplified in 2024 when it was falsely claimed that he had been arrested by DSS officials.

“Last year, in September, when I was in Rwanda, similar lies were spread that the DSS invaded my house. Now, while I am in my home in Onitsha, Anambra State, they say I was arrested in Abuja. The motive of these peddlers cannot be positive, but let us not allow baseless rumours to distract us from the critical challenges we face as a nation,” he added.

Media Talk Africa recalls that the former Anambra State governor had claimed his life was under threat due to his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Meanwhile, Morka has clarified his controversial remark about Obi following the latter’s accusation that the APC chieftain’s comments about his New Year message attracted a barrage of negative responses, including death threats.

Speaking on The Morning Show, an Arise TV program, on Wednesday, Morka clarified that his comment was a direct response to a question about Obi being labelled a “voodoo economist” and “prophet of doom.”

The APC spokesman also challenged Obi to provide evidence of the alleged threats against his life and family.