The candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 presidential election, Peter Obi, has reacted to an allegation by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that he is fanning embers of insurrection.
He said this was untrue, noting the he was an apostle of peace and unity.
Besides, Obi claimed, he did not bild his campaign on ethnicity and religion.
This is as the leaked audio of his conversation with the Living Faith pastor, Bishop Oyedepo, continues to generate controversy.
In the audio, he passionately urges Oyedepo to help him mobilise Christians to vote for him.
He is however silent on this in his reaction to Mohammed’s accusation.
Obi in a statement he signed on Tuesday in reaction to allegations attributed to the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed.
Mohammed had, at a media briefing in Washington DC, United States, accused Obi of treason, which the LP candidate described as part of campaigns of calumny against his person.
Obi said, “It is most unfortunate that these consistent efforts to portray me quite contrary to what I am, and my core values, is coming from such high quarters. Minister Lai accusing me of stoking insurrection is totally malicious and fictitious.
“I have never discussed or encouraged anyone to undermine the Nigerian state; I have never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state. Those initiating these actions have increasingly used their official positions and agents to make false allegations against me.
“I am on record as always, advocating for peace and issue-based campaign and never campaigned based on ethnicity or religion. I am committed to due process, and presently seeking redress in the court.”
