I am a victim of Political blackmail, Obi cries Out

…Denies secret meeting with Tinubu over alleged N225billion Fidelity Bank debt

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, has strongly denied reports of a secret meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Rome. The reports allege that the meeting was held to discuss a purported ₦225 billion debt crisis involving Fidelity Bank.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi described the claims as baseless, malicious, and entirely false. He stated that the allegations were part of a blackmail campaign designed to damage his reputation.

Obi went on to claim that even his recent solemn spiritual journey to Rome had been twisted into another blackmail campaign by merchants seemingly paid to propagate negative information about him.

He further denied the claims made by a “self-proclaimed blackmailer-in-chief” who alleged that he had traveled to Rome to meet President Tinubu in connection with the Fidelity Bank debt crisis.

Obi emphasized that the claims were not only baseless and malicious but also entirely false.

To clarify his actions, Obi explained that he was in Rome on May 9th to attend Pope Francis’ lying-in-state. He then returned to Nigeria via London.

Obi firmly stated that he had never sought an audience with President Tinubu since he assumed office, except for a brief moment during Pope Leo XIV’s inauguration Mass at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He was seated behind the president and, out of respect, greeted him and other dignitaries present.

Regarding claims that he owns Fidelity Bank, Obi clarified that he does not own the bank. Throughout his career, he has served as Chairman or Director of three banks or financial institutions, including Fidelity. It’s important to note that Fidelity has over 500,000 shareholders, and none of them hold a majority stake.

Obi condemned deliberate efforts to destabilize and cause distress to hardworking Nigerians through lies and blackmail. He emphasized that the blackmailer’s intentions are to harm these individuals and cause them unnecessary suffering.

Obi addressed those peddling falsehoods and engaging in blackmail, offering a simple prayer: May God grant them the virtues of gratitude and understanding to recognize that they arrived here with nothing and will depart with nothing.