Obidient Movement Dismisses Claims Linking Peter Obi to El-Rufai’s Visit in Imo

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Obidient Movement in Imo State has debunked reports suggesting that its leader, Peter Obi, was behind the recent visit of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the state.

In a statement issued by the Coordinator of the Movement, Anukanti Vigilius Chukwuka, the group described the reports as misleading and mischievous, stressing that Obi neither invited El-Rufai nor attended the event.

El-Rufai was in Owerri over the weekend to participate in the annual Odenigbo Lecture, an intellectual and cultural programme organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri. The Movement noted that while Obi had attended previous editions of the lecture as Governor, he was not present at this year’s gathering.

“The day preceding the public lecture, Hon. Nnaemeka Madagwu, a former Speaker of the Imo State Assembly, hosted El-Rufai. He had served under El-Rufai as Transport Secretary during his tenure as FCT Minister. Mischief makers are now dragging Obi’s name into the visit, claiming he was responsible for El-Rufai’s presence,” the statement read.

The group explained that Obi only honoured a private dinner held in El-Rufai’s honour, as a gesture of respect and solidarity. It reiterated Obi’s commitment to building a “new Nigeria that is possible” in collaboration with all well-meaning citizens.