APC Backs FG On Treason Allegation Against Peter Obi

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has backed the Federal Government on the treason allegation leveled against the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25 election, Peter Obi.

OsunDaily News reported that the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, had accused Obi of inciting Nigerians to violence over the outcome of the presidential election.

In an interview with some foreign media organisations in Washington, United States on Tuesday, Mohammed said it is wrong for Obi to seek redress in court over the outcome of the presidential election and on the other hand, incite people to violence.

The minister said the statement by Obi’s running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, that the President-elect, Bola Tinubu, should not be sworn in as president amounted to treason.

Speaking with The Punch on Tuesday night, the APC Director of Media, Bala Ibrahim, said the LP standard bearer could not be bigger than the law of the land, and should not take the Muhammadu Buhari government for granted.

Ibrahim stated Obi should be cautioned and invited by the security agencies over his incendiary statements which he said are capable for causing violence and chaos in the country.

He said, “if the United States, which is seen as the beacon of democracy could prosecute former president Donald Trump, why do people fear that Nigeria would burn if Obi is apprehended by security agencies?

“I don’t subscribe to this idea of not touching certain persons simply because of the situation or the circumstances on the ground. Nobody is above the law.

“If you are wrong, you must be called to order regardless of your position in society. If it means getting the security agencies to invite him, it should be done.

“We shouldn’t allow things to get out of hand simply because we don’t want to be seen as intimidating the opposition. No, that should not be the case. As we talk, former American president, Donald Trump, is in court.”

Ibrahim, however, wondered why Obi and his horde of supporters were finding it hard to accept defeat when it was obvious Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election.

He said: “People have been contesting and losing elections in this country, they didn’t call for fire and brimstone. Why should Obi’s case be different?’’