By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Peter Obi Media Office has urged supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate to ignore what it’described as coordinated misinformation and divisive propaganda, insisting that the movement remains focused on addressing Nigeria’s worsening economic and security challenges rather than political distractions.

In a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the media office accused political opponents of fabricating narratives and attempting to create disunity within the movement through false claims attributed to Obi.

“The Peter Obi Media Office acknowledges recent, coordinated efforts by political adversaries and disruptive individuals to create division, misrepresent our leader’s objectives, and foster artificial rifts within our movement dedicated to improving Nigeria. They dubiously try to ascribe their imagined words to our principal, aiming to create division in his fold,” the statement said.

The office maintained that Obi’s political agenda remained centred on national development rather than ethnic sentiments or partisan disputes.

“Let us be clear: our endeavour is, and always has been, driven by a commitment to national progress, not personal ambition, ethnic appeals, or petty partisan squabbles,” it stated.

According to the statement, while political opponents were preoccupied with what it called diversionary tactics, millions of Nigerians continued to struggle with economic hardship and insecurity.

“While our opponents are expending valuable time and resources on creating distractions, fabricating narratives, and attempting to undermine our unity, the pressing realities faced by ordinary Nigerians remain unchanged. Millions of households are grappling with escalating living expenses, rampant inflation, and widespread unemployment. A significant number of our citizens live in constant fear for their safety and their ability to earn a living across the nation,” it said.

The media office added that the movement remained committed to providing what it described as competent and accountable leadership capable of addressing the country’s challenges.

“Our public institutions are in critical need of capable, ethical, and accountable leadership to provide essential services. This is precisely what our principal, Peter Obi, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) are committed to delivering. These are the fundamental challenges that demand our collective intelligence, energy, and unwavering dedication,” the statement added.

It said engaging in political mudslinging would distract from the task of finding solutions to Nigeria’s problems and challenged critics to offer practical alternatives.

“To engage in the unproductive arena of political slander would be a disservice to the struggling populace who place their hope in our principal for viable solutions. We urge those who are attempting to sow discord to redirect their efforts towards proposing concrete solutions to the immense challenges confronting our nation,” the statement said.

The media office also dismissed reports alleging changes in the leadership of the Obidient Movement, describing them as fabricated.

“We implore our devoted supporters, including the OBIdients and Kwankwasoiyya movements, and all Nigerians of good conscience, to disregard rumours, fabricated stories, and deliberate provocations, including the purported sack of the Obidient Movement National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko. Our opponents rely on division because they lack a tangible record or a compelling vision to present to the public,” it stated.

The statement urged supporters to remain united and committed to the movement’s vision of transforming Nigeria into a productive, prosperous and secure nation.