Peter Obi’s media aide, Valentine Obienyem, has blasted reports linking his principal to a coup plot aimed at removing President Bola Tinubu from office.
He recently described the report as “lunacy dressed in propaganda,” and Nigerians have been reacting.
Speaking via a press statement, titled “Coup Plot Allegation: A Dangerous Joke Taken Too Far,” Valentine clarified that the allegations are simply absurd.
According to him, reckless and irresponsible reports like the coup accusation, if not quickly refuted, can easily spark social unrest across Nigeria.
He condemned the allegation completely, stating that it is a serious national security offence.
“This allegation is not just absurd; it is dangerous. Coup plotting is a serious national security offence. To casually accuse citizens—especially respected public figures—of such is not only reckless but seditious,” he said.
Valentine further questioned why the person behind the accusation is yet to be arrested or summoned by security agencies to substantiate his claims.
Stressing that accusations of treason should never be used to settle political scores, he maintained that a coup is too big an allegation to make without proof.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to ignore the false reports and focus on those playing mature politics.
“A coup is not a term to be bandied around like a political insult. It is treason.
To accuse someone of it, especially in a democracy, is to risk social unrest, undermine confidence in our institutions, and endanger lives
In a functional society, such an accuser would be arrested immediately to give a fuller account of what he knows. Who is this man, and why hasn’t he been arrested?
Nigeria deserves better than this brand of politics. We must not allow desperation to blind us to the red lines of national stability and security,” he said.
