By ERICJAMES OCHIGBO

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in the House of Representatives has condemned “unprovoked and coordinated attacks” on Mr Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate of the party.

In a statement on Monday, leader of the caucus, Rep. Afam Ogene (NDC-Anambra) said that the attacks are evidence of Obi’s growing popularity and relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Ogene said that Obi has not committed a crime by aspiring to lead the country, neither had his aspiration barred anyone from contesting for the presidency.

According to him, like every other Nigerian, Obi is entitled to exercise his fundamental rights and anyone else is free to run for the highest office, if they so desired.

“The unprovoked and coordinated attacks on Obi’s person and political aspiration by hirelings across political parties are unprecedented.

“They point to only one thing, that Obi is the real issue in the conversation for the 2027 general elections.

“So it is both strange and uncharitable that many now want him muscled out of the race out of sheer jealousy and palpable fear of his rising popularity.

“No amount of sponsored smear campaigns, therefore, can deny Obi of that same democratic rights,” Ogene stated.

Ogene disagreed with Sen. Adams Oshiomole, who in a recent interview, claimed that Obi’s performance on security as governor of Anambra was abysmal, arguing that Obi is unfit to lead Nigeria out of the prevailing insecurity crisis.

According to the rep, Oshiomhole’s attempt to rewrite history is both uncharitable and insulting to Nigerians, who know the facts.

Ogene recalled that Obi pioneered the state police initiative through the recruitment, training, kitting, and provision of security vehicles to each of Anambra’s 177 communities as governor.

He said that Mr Philemon Leha, who served as Commissioner of Police in Anambra at the time, testified that security was on Obi’s priority, as he always offered logistics and other support on a scale he had not witnessed elsewhere.

Ogene said that those, who actually secured Anambra, credited Obi’s leadership, logistics, and political will, saying that facts always triumphed over propaganda.

The lawmaker said that data on security under Obi’s tenure in Anambra remained public record, and no amount of political grandstanding can erase it. (NAN)

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