Following the planned EndBadgovernace protest, Peter Obi Media Reach ,POMR, has berated Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, for accusing the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate , Mr. Peter Obi, of being behind the planned action.

The group subsequently raised the alarm over an alleged plot to arrest Obi, accusing the presidency of blackmail.

This was stated in a statement by the spokesperson for the group, Dr. Yunusa Tanko.

The statement reads: “We can report from good and reliable authority that these unsubstantiated allegations are being orchestrated to arrest Obi, limit his freedom and association and stop his propagation for good governance which they find injurious to their lavish lifestyle.

“Peter Obi by his mien in and out of political office has not shown or been associated with violence even in the most obvious provocations.

“He has always shown even during the electioneering that he is issue-driven as he carries on without calling anybody’s name.

POMR is also aware that multiple attack dogs have been hired and strategically deployed to ensure that Obi does not enjoy the ear of the Nigerian populace who are keen on hearing his voice on issues.

“These spin doctors and hirelings, to justify their pay, indulge in all kinds of falsehood ostensibly to distract Obi and confuse Nigerians who already see Obi as suiting balm in the current turbulent political and economic environment.

“All the problems real and imagined created by their insensitivity and lavish lifestyle they have curiously tried to link to Obi.

“Notable challenges of the administration which are a consequence of their actions and inactions like fuel subsidy fallouts, growing poverty in the land, inflation, nepotism and unresolved historical conflicts among others they blame all on Obi.

“POMR therefore wishes to urge Nigerians to ignore the Presidency’s cheap blackmail as Obi and the Obidient family all over the country and in the diaspora remain resolute in their search for a new Nigeria that is possible and would not be cowed or be made to lose focus.’’

Meanwhile, Onanuga warned those behind the planned nationwide protest to be very careful, saying they may not predict what could be the end of such an action.

Onanuga had accused Obi’s supporters of being behind the planned protest.

He had accused Obi’s supporters of promoting the planned protest.

His words:”My post is just to highlight that the people who are organizing this so-called nationwide protest are members of the Labour Party, they are Peter Obi supporters, so that’s my take. I am not going to say more than this.

“That is their problem, I am not interested in what they want to do. I am just trying to say, look these are the people that are saying, we must do Kenya, so these are the people mobilizing, that is my own point.

“So, nobody is saying you must not protest, protest is legitimate in a democracy. The concern of people is that when you start a protest and it is not well managed, the end cannot be predicted just like people could not predict the end of EndSars.

“So, that’s just the concern of people. And again when you are saying revolution now, revolution now, do they know the meaning of revolution now? Revolution means you are calling for a coup d’etat, that’s the meaning of it and that’s the point I am making.’’

Meanwhile, the Labour Party Diaspora Directorate has said Obi is not connected to the protest.
It described reports linking him to the proposed protest as baseless.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Deputy Director (Diaspora), Head Media and Communications Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, Aju Elumelu,
He said:”The Labour Party and Peter Obi have consistently championed peace and lawful conduct. Our record, especially in the aftermath of the last general election, speaks volumes about our commitment to peaceful and constructive engagement in Nigeria’s political landscape. We have always prioritized the rule of law and encouraged our supporters to do the same.

The protest scheduled for July 29, 2024, and August 10, 2024, is being supported by Take it Back Movement, Revolution Now and other groups.