Obi’s Media Office Rejects Dalung’s Claim That NDC Candidate Abandoned Plateau

The media office of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 presidential election, has rejected a claim by former Minister of Sports Development and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Solomon Dalung, that Obi has not visited Plateau State since the 2023 general elections.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the POMR spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, the media office described Dalung's assertion as "false and unfounded", insisting that Obi has made several visits to the state since the 2023 election.

Dalung had reportedly claimed that Obi, who enjoyed significant support in Plateau State during the 2023 presidential election, had not returned to the state since the election, suggesting that his engagement with the people had been limited to the election period.

However, Obi's media office disputed the claim, saying the former Anambra State governor had visited Plateau on several occasions since 2023 and had spent nights in the state twice during those visits.

According to the statement, Obi's engagements in Plateau have extended beyond conventional political activities, particularly in communities affected by insecurity, communal violence and displacement.

The media office specifically mentioned Bokkos, Mangu, Bassa and Barkin Ladi, saying Obi had maintained contact with communities and residents in parts of the state.

It said the visits were driven by a combination of humanitarian concerns, political engagement and efforts to draw attention to security challenges affecting residents.

The statement noted that Obi had visited communities affected by violence to commiserate with victims and displaced persons, while also engaging with people in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

The media office further claimed that Obi visited IDP camps in Mangu and Bokkos on multiple occasions, where he reportedly provided financial assistance and supported relief initiatives, including clean water programmes and the distribution of relief materials.

It also cited Obi's decision to spend his 62nd birthday in July 2023 with displaced communities in Mangu Local Government Area as an example of his humanitarian engagement with the state.

According to the statement, Obi chose to spend the occasion with displaced persons rather than hold a formal birthday celebration.

The media office also highlighted Obi's interactions with traditional rulers and political stakeholders in the state, including the Gbong Gwom Jos, as evidence of his continued engagement with Plateau.

It argued that such engagements demonstrated that Obi's relationship with Plateau extended beyond electoral politics and included humanitarian interventions, interaction with traditional institutions and engagement with communities affected by insecurity.

The statement further maintained that Obi's activities in Plateau reflected his broader interest in the North-Central region and his continued engagement with communities that supported his presidential bid in 2023.

The media office consequently urged the public to disregard Dalung's claim, describing it as inaccurate and unsupported by the facts as presented by the Obi camp.

The statement read in part:

"Peter Obi's Media Office wishes to clearly reject a statement made by former Minister of Sports Development and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Solomon Dalung."

It added:

"However, the Media Office asserts that Dalung's claim is factually wrong. They state that Obi has made several visits to Plateau State since 2023 and has spent nights there on two occasions."

The media office said Obi's continued presence in Plateau should be viewed in the context of his humanitarian interventions, political engagements and efforts to draw national attention to security challenges affecting communities in the state.

It also reiterated its position that Obi remains committed to maintaining contact with communities and stakeholders across the country ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The statement concluded with the Obi campaign's familiar message: "A new and truthful Nigeria is possible."