Arabambi''s allegation of coup plot against Obi dangerous joke taken too far - Obienyem

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By Madu Obi

The media adviser to Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, In the 2023 general elections, Mr. Val Obienyem, has described the petition by LP member, Abayomi Arabambi to security agencies, alleging that Obi, alongside the Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero; Senator Victor Umeh; and members of the Nenadi Usman- led LP are plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government as a joke taken too far.

Wondering why the man has not been arrested, Obienyem said the allegation is not just absurd, but dangerous.

According to him, coup plotting is not child’s play, adding that it is a serious national security offence.

"To casually accuse citizens - especially prominent and responsible figures - of attempting to topple a democratically elected government is not only reckless but seditious in itself. In a functional society, such an accuser would be arrested immediately to give a fuller account of what he knows", Obienyem said.

He noted that if his allegation carries any weight, then the security agencies must take it seriously by interrogating him thoroughly, identifying his sources, and presenting evidence.

He added that if it is mere political mischief, he must be made to face the full consequences of peddling such a dangerous falsehood.

"A coup is not a term to be bandied around like a political insult. It is treason. To accuse someone of it, especially in a democratic society, is to risk social unrest, undermine confidence in our institutions, and endanger lives. This is not politics; it is lunacy dressed in propaganda.

Nigeria deserves better than this brand of politics. We must not allow desperation and factional rivalry to blind us to the red lines of national stability and security", he said.