Allegations by the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, that some of his supporters, known as “Obidients”, had been “silently arrested” are untrue, the presidency has said.
A source in the State House, Aso Rock Villa, who spoke under condition of anonymity, said both the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Department of State Services (DSS) have officially confirmed that no arrests whatsoever – neither “silent arrests” nor for that matter “open arrests” – have been made of any of any Obi’s supporters.
“The democratic process in Nigeria is free and fair and all candidates – whether those from the established parties or minor ones – have the absolute constitutional and God-given right to campaign openly and without hindrance,” the source said.
“What is also the case is that anyone who breaks the law – whether they are a supporter of the government party or opposition – must be held to account for their actions.
“If, for instance, opposition parties’ supporters damage private property in the course of a campaign, march or rally, should they not be held to account. If, for instance, the governing party supporters defame an opposition figure should they not be held to account? Of course, they all should.
“What is however known about a Labour Party member who was bailed by the party’s chairman in Lagos State is that on September 30, 2022, one Joseph Chimezie Onuorah Passport No: A12553760 who arrived in Nigeria aboard Air France, was intercepted about 2230hrs at the E-wing of MMIA Lagos by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at the instance of the Lagos State Police Investigation Bureau for an investigation that concerned him.
