Obi condemns political intimidation, vows peaceful engagement
Abdullateef Fowewe
Former Anambra State governor and NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi has reaffirmed his commitment to peace and electoral integrity following a town hall meeting in Lagos that faced reported disruption by thugs.
In a statement on Friday, Obi said he arrived in Lagos the previous day from Abuja to attend the commendation service of Chief Sir Okey Ezibe at Our Saviour’s Church, Tafawa Balewa Square, before proceeding to Oregun for the Lagos State edition of his party’s ongoing series of town hall meetings.
“Earlier, I had been informed that a group of thugs had mobilised to attack participants who arrived early for the meeting.
“Let me reiterate that the political violence being enabled by certain political actors against our supporters is an ill wind that blows no one any good. Anarchy consumes everyone. We will remain law-abiding, even in the face of extreme provocation,” Obi wrote.
Despite the reported disruption, the meeting went ahead.
Participants raised questions on the economy, high cost of living, corruption, insecurity, care for vulnerable citizens, and election integrity.
In his remarks, Obi stressed that the first responsibility of any government is to secure the country and unite its people. He outlined commitments to policies that would reduce the cost of living, improve welfare, and invest heavily in healthcare and education while tackling poverty.
On the forthcoming elections, he said, “Protecting the integrity of the electoral process is a shared responsibility. Every effort must be made to ensure that votes are properly protected, from the polling unit through ward collation to the final collation and declaration of results. Our party, the NDC, will also fulfil the responsibility to deploy competent agents to polling units to observe and document the process.”
Obi urged supporters to reject violence while remaining “peaceful, vigilant, and resolute in defending their democratic rights.”
He thanked the organisers, Lagos State candidates, and participants.
