|
Listen to article
|
The campaign organization of the presidential candidate of the Labor Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has bemoaned media speculations that his frequent visits to churches and mosques were an act of religious politics deployed to boost his political profile ahead of the 2027 election.
The former Anambra State governor came under heavy criticism last month during the Ramadan season where he was spotted visiting some mosques to celebrate Iftar with the Muslim faithful.
Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan to break the day’s fast.
But in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, the chief spokesman of Obi’s presidential campaign organisation, Yunusa Tanko, noted that Obi’s acts of philanthropy and altruism transcend the complex institution of politics and religion.
Read Also: ₦4bn Fraud: Court Releases Obiano’s Passport For Medical Trip
He also condemned the ‘malicious and unsubstantiated allegation’, saying it is being orchestrated to blackmail the LP presidential candidate.
He said, “Obi’s visit to churches and mosques is purely prompted by his urge to help the less privileged and has nothing to do with political campaigns. In these places, Obi had given messages of hope to lift the spirit of the downtrodden. He hastily and never talked about politics, abused anybody, or indulged in name-calling.
“For instance, during the Ramadan period, Obi visited some praying centres in the North and South breaking fast with Muslim faithful, donating some items to help ameliorate their sufferings and further providing basic amenities such as potable water in some communities.”
In another report, the immediate-past governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano met a brick wall in his bid to quash the ₦4bn theft charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the preliminary objection filed by Obiano to challenge the powers of the EFCC to try him.
The judge, however, granted Obiano’s prayer for the release of his passport to enable him to embark on a medical trip.
Justice Ekwo, while adjourning till June 27 for the commencement of trial, said Obiano must return his passport to the court on his return from the medical trip.
Obiano, who was arraigned on January 24, faces nine counts bordering on theft of Anambra State security votes to the tune of N4bn.
