By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Peter Obi Media Office has accused the Federal Government of orchestrating a sustained campaign of intimidation and harassment against the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) 2027 Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, following what it described as a dismissive response by the Presidency to Obi’s recent concerns about his personal safety and business interests.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Peter Obi Media Office and signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, who claimed that the Presidency’s reaction to Obi’s interview failed to address the issues raised and instead reflected what he described as growing political intolerance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The media office alleged that recent government actions had gone beyond normal political disagreements and evolved into “a concerted effort” aimed at intimidating Obi, restricting his freedom and frustrating his campaign for what it called a reformed Nigeria.

According to the statement, Obi has allegedly been subjected to “engineered bureaucratic obstacles, invasive surveillance and hostility from state forces,” while businesses linked to him have also come under pressure.

It argued that whether such actions were deliberate or coincidental, they had created the perception of “a calculated attempt to undermine his legitimate personal and business interests,” warning that such developments could erode investor confidence.

The media office further claimed that members of Obi’s team who accompany him across the country had witnessed what it described as persistent harassment directed at both the former Anambra State governor and his supporters.

It also alleged that some security agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), had issues with Obi’s supporters.

The statement cited what it described as an attack on Obi during a visit to the residence of former Edo State Governor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, and referred to the arrest and prosecution of a civil society activist known as Justice Crack, describing the charges against him as questionable.

The media office argued that democracy required governments to tolerate dissent rather than deploy state institutions to intimidate opposition figures.

“We will not stand by while those who have failed Nigeria misuse state power against the single voice that speaks truth to power,” Zekeri said.

He maintained that Obi’s concerns over his safety should not be dismissed with what he described as insults, insisting that protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliation, remained the constitutional responsibility of government.

The statement further warned that any attempt to silence Obi would amount to an attack on millions of Nigerians who identify with his message of good governance.

“The federal government will be held accountable for any harm that befalls Mr Obi or his associates,” the statement said.

It added that intimidation would not weaken Obi’s resolve, saying, “If the goal is to silence him, know that you cannot intimidate a man whose strength comes from the collective will of a nation longing for change,” Zekeri stated.

The media office urged the Federal Government to focus on addressing insecurity, hunger and the country’s economic challenges instead of what it described as an obsession with Obi’s political activities.

It concluded by calling for an immediate end to what it termed hostilities, obstruction and intimidation against the former presidential candidate, insisting that “using police state tactics will neither alleviate our economic struggles nor secure our nation,” the statement added.