By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Peter Obi Media Reach (POMR) has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has directed its members and top political appointees to concentrate on discrediting the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, claiming the ruling party has become obsessed with attacking the opposition because it lacks achievements to present to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The allegation was contained in a statement issued on Friday by POMR spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, who claimed there was an unofficial directive within the APC instructing party members, particularly senior government officials, to undermine the growing popularity of Obi and Kwankwaso rather than focus on governance and service delivery.

According to the statement, the recent criticisms directed at the two opposition figures by senior APC members and government appointees reflected what it described as a coordinated political strategy aimed at currying favour with President Bola Tinubu rather than addressing the country's pressing challenges.

"It has become increasingly evident that attacking Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso personally has become a common tactic for politicians seeking to gain favour and secure favourable positions within President Bola Tinubu's administration," Zekeri said.

The media organisation argued that instead of showcasing achievements to justify another mandate, officials of the ruling party were preoccupied with political attacks while insecurity, economic hardship and deteriorating public services continued to affect millions of Nigerians.

POMR said the APC should be focusing on improving security, public education, healthcare and the economy instead of making the opposition the centrepiece of its political messaging.

"Instead of concentrating on the significant responsibilities of showcasing their achievements to the people who elected them and justifying why they deserve a fresh mandate, the ruling party seem to be prioritising political posturing over governance," the statement said.

The group also referred to recent warnings by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) about worsening hunger in parts of northern Nigeria, alleging that governments controlled by the APC had failed to respond adequately while remaining preoccupied with opposition politics.

It maintained that attempts to blame Obi or Kwankwaso for the country's challenges would not improve the living conditions of Nigerians or resolve the nation's security problems.

"Trying to use Peter Obi or Rabiu Kwankwaso as a political scapegoat will not lead to improved living standards for citizens, nor will it enhance security in the country. The Nigerian populace recognises this distraction for what it is: cheap diversionary blackmail to distract the public from their obvious failure," Zekeri stated.

The organisation urged the ruling party to remember that its primary responsibility was to Nigerians and not political point-scoring, while calling on President Bola Tinubu to assess his appointees on the basis of measurable performance rather than attacks on opposition figures.

"We also suggest that President Bola Tinubu should evaluate his appointees based on their tangible performance and achievements in office, rather than the intensity of their attacks on opposition figures," the statement added.

POMR insisted that Obi would remain committed to advocating what it described as a better Nigeria, maintaining that no campaign against him would distract Nigerians from demanding accountability from those currently in government.