A network group for Peter Obi has accused the All Progressives Congress of sponsoring propoganda and fake news against the Labour Party and its candidate, Peter Obi.
Peter Obi Support Network made the accusation while reacting to a warning by the Nigeria Police Force to all the presidential candidates to caution their supporters ahead of the start of campaigns.
In a chat with The PUNCH, the Spokesperson for the network, Onwuasoanya Jones said Obi has been at the receiving end of very bad and tasteless blackmail against his person and even family from Tinubu supporters.
Jones said the former Governor of Anambra State has always encouraged his supporters and volunteers to engage in issue-based discussions.
He said the LP candidate had been an advocate of peaceful and responsible conduct both in speech and action all through his political career and would continue to do so.
Jones, however, urged the police to do their jobs professionally and patriotically by being non-partisan, especially, as the main campaign period is about to kick off.
He said: “Unfortunately, Peter Obi has been at the receiving end of very bad and tasteless blackmail against his person and even family, especially, from the angle of some ill-trained social media hirelings of Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress.
“We have seen many badly constructed fake news, outright falsehoods and hate speeches targeted against Mr Peter Obi, but in his characteristic tolerance and noble temperament, he has taken these with equanimity.
“If we a group, we wish to respond or take action against such, we know where and how to channel these complaints, we won’t overburden the Police with civil complaints like defamation of character when we know that the Police have a lot of criminal acts they are yet to tackle.
“The police must do their jobs professionally and patriotically by being non-partisan, especially, as we are about to enter the main campaign period. They should not become bodyguards and attack dogs for a political party or some candidates. The issue of defamation of character should be a matter of civil litigation, and Police shouldn’t allow itself to be used to intimidate those who hold contrary views to certain protected politicians”