Valentine Obienyem, Special Adviser on Media to Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, has condemned the allegation linking Obi to a coup plot against President Bola Tinubu.
The allegation, reportedly made by a former factional member of the Labour Party, claims that Obi, alongside Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero, Senator Victor Umeh, and others, is involved in a plot to unseat the Tinubu administration through unconstitutional means.
Obienyem described the claim as “lunacy dressed in propaganda” and warned that such reckless accusations could spark tension across the country.
“This allegation is not just absurd; it is dangerous. Coup plotting is a grave national security offence. To casually accuse citizens—especially respected public figures—of such is not only irresponsible but seditious.”
He questioned why the accuser had not been investigated or summoned by security agencies.
“In a functional democracy, anyone making such a claim would be arrested immediately to substantiate it. Who is this man, and why hasn’t he been questioned?”
His statement reads:
Coup Plot Allegation: A Dangerous Joke Taken Too Far
In his petition to security agencies, Arabambi alleges that Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, alongside Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero; Senator Victor Umeh; and members of the Nenadi Usman faction, are plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
This allegation is not just absurd – it is dangerous. Why has the man not been arrested?
Coup plotting is not child’s play. It is a serious national security offence. To casually accuse citizens – especially prominent and responsible figures – of attempting to topple a democratically elected government is not only reckless but seditious in itself. In a functional society, such an accuser would be arrested immediately to give a fuller account of what he knows. Who is this man, and why hasn’t he been arrested? If his allegation carries any weight, then the security agencies must take it seriously – by interrogating him thoroughly, identifying his sources, and presenting evidence. But if, as it appears, this is mere political mischief, he must face the full consequences of peddling such a dangerous falsehood.
Why are we like this in this country – so frivolous with matters of grave national importance?
A coup is not a term to be bandied around like a political insult. It is treason. To accuse someone of it, especially in a democratic society, is to risk social unrest, undermine confidence in our institutions, and endanger lives. This is not politics; it is lunacy dressed in propaganda.
Nigeria deserves better than this brand of politics. We must not allow desperation and factional rivalry to blind us to the red lines of national stability and security.
I can see the hand of APC in trying to rope Peter Obi into this coup allegation so as to reduce Peter’s visibility in the political space.
APC should first arrest Arabambi and interrogate him for his facts if any for the coup allegation.
This is no joke or just mere rumor.