Addressing recent media speculations, the campaign organization of Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, emphasized that his frequent visits to churches and mosques are driven by charitable intentions rather than political motives ahead of the 2027 election.
During the Ramadan season, the former Anambra governor faced criticism for attending mosques to partake in Iftar with the Muslim community, which sparked debates.
Amping up the discourse, Yunusa Tanko, the Chief Spokesman for Obi’s campaign team, challenged the assumptions.
In a statement released in Abuja recently, Tanko reiterated that Obi’s philanthropic gestures transcend the realms of politics and religion.
He further denounced the ‘baseless and mischievous accusations’, affirming that they aimed to tarnish the reputation of the LP’s presidential nominee.
“Various groups parading as civil society and non-governmental organizations but allegedly motivated by certain political interests have been mobilized to lodge complaints and accuse Peter Obi of engaging in religious politics.
“The objective is to undermine Obi’s altruistic efforts in supporting disadvantaged Nigerians regardless of their religious affiliations. The goal is to wrongly suggest that his visits to places of worship serve as covert political campaigns during off-election periods. Obi is well-versed in the constitutional principles of separating religious institutions from the state and acknowledges Nigeria’s status as a secular state.
“Obi’s presence at churches and mosques is solely driven by his desire to assist the underprivileged and is devoid of any political agenda. In these settings, Obi shares messages of hope to uplift the spirits of those in need. He refrains from political discussions, personal attacks, or mudslinging.
“For example, during the Ramadan period, Obi journeyed to prayer centers across the North and South to break fast with the Muslim community, provide donations to alleviate their hardships, and offer essential resources such as clean water to certain communities. We, therefore, urge the public to dismiss any insinuations linking Obi’s actions with politics and religion; instead, view them as attempts to restrict Obi’s freedom to engage in charitable initiatives and promote communal well-being,” he asserted.