The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has finally broken his silence over his alleged detention by immigration officials in the United Kingdom.Â
In a series of tweets posted on his official Twitter handle on Tuesday, Obi said, “Sometimes, as humans, we make mistakes, but I will never knowingly break any law.”
The Labour Party presidential candidate said he will never “knowingly break the law” and that he is committed to challenging the February 25 election outcome.
Although Obi did not make reference to his arrest and subsequent detention by UK immigration officials at Heathrow Airport a fortnight ago, this is the first time he has spoken out since the incident occurred.
Obi added that he is not afraid of the “lies and propaganda” against him.
“They are part of the journey to a new Nigeria,” he said.
Recall that on April 7 (Good Friday), Obi was intercepted by immigration officials at Heathrow airport and detained.
The reason for his arrest has remained unknown to date, as the UK authorities have declined to comment on the matter.
But the Labour Party claimed it was for alleged impersonation.
A statement issued by the Head of Obi-Datti Media, Diran Onifade, on the matter said, “He was questioned for a long time, and it was very strange for a man who lived for over a decade in that country.”
The statement did not, however, contain details of Obi’s arrest and his subsequent release before returning to the country.
In his tweets on Tuesday, Obi re-emphasized his commitment to challenging the outcome of the February 25 election, urging supporters to remain calm and steadfast in the journey to reclaiming their mandate for a new Nigeria.
“I will never give up on this journey until victory is achieved,” he said.
Obi noted that he never anticipated the journey of a “New Nigeria” to be a smooth ride and that the forces, who had over the years lived off the old order, are bound to fight back, as is being experienced now.
He said, “If they come at us through land, air, and sea, we will respond to them through land, air, and sea, but we will remain law-abiding and will never give up on the nation.”
“We are on the right path, and we will remain committed to the course,” he said.
The former governor of Anambra reiterated his commitment to building a Nigeria that will be beneficial to every Nigerian.
Obi said the struggle to reclaim this mandate (an alleged victory at the poll) is not about him but about the millions of Nigerians who placed their trust in him through their votes.
The LP presidential flag-bearer said the millions of Nigerians who voted for him did not just cast their votes; they invested their hopes in him, and they deserve justice, adding, “So, we must stay the course.”
