The Peter Obi Media Reach, POMR, on Tuesday urged Nigerians to ignore the false claim that former Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was directly or indirectly involved in the struggle for the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

It stated that Obi voted for the late MKO Abiola in that election and subsequently relocated to the United Kingdom (UK) with his family to establish his business.

The spokesman of POMR, Ibrahim Umar, was reacting to reports suggesting that Obi played a role in the June 12, 1993 struggle.

Umar dismissed the reports, titled “Peter Obi and NADECO/Democracy Day” and “Nigerians Must Not Forget, In 1993 Peter Obi was a protégé of Arthur Nzeribe in the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN),” as false and malicious against the former Anambra State governor.

Describing the reports as the handiwork of blackmailers, Umar said they were aimed at tarnishing Obi’s image by some well-mobilised mercenaries.

In a statement he signed and forwarded to Ekwutosblog , Umar said: “For the umpteenth time, blackmailers have resurrected a fictitious and malicious write-up, hoping to use it to damage the rising political profile of the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi. However, they fail to realise that no matter how far and fast a lie travels, when the truth arrives, it shines like a distinguishing light.

“The first time this fabricated article appeared was on 14 June 2023, under the title ‘Peter Obi and NADECO/Democracy Day’. Last week, it resurfaced on social media as ‘Nigerians Must Not Forget, In 1993 Peter Obi was a protégé of Arthur Nzeribe in the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN).’

“Such a brazenly concocted story, with a clear motive, ordinarily should not warrant a response. However, for the sake of the credulous public who may not be aware of the facts, and considering the extent of distortions in this anonymous write-up, we find it necessary to set the record straight.

“The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) is well aware of the renewed activities of some well-mobilised mercenaries tasked with fabricating lies to undermine Peter Obi.

“Their motive, which is well known to us, is to tarnish Obi’s image and diminish his growing reputation. Yet, he remains one of Nigeria’s most outstanding democrats today, recognised for his belief in the rule of law and non-violence.

“The writer of this falsehood fails to appreciate Obi’s unwavering principles and his commitment to integrity, which are verifiable and widely acknowledged.”

POMR urged the public to disregard these reports as a malicious attempt to discredit Obi.

It reiterated that Obi was “never directly or indirectly involved in the activities of the June 12 struggle. While he supported and voted for the late MKO Abiola in 1993, soon after the election, he relocated to the United Kingdom with his family, where he ran a decent, successful business that received encouragement and support from credible financial institutions worldwide due to the integrity and reputation he built.”

Umar added: “As of 1993, Obi was not a politician, but he admired and voted for Abiola through the late former Senate President, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, whom he regarded as a mentor and admired greatly. Even during his time at university in Nsukka, Obi was not involved in politics but was more recognised as a student entrepreneur.”