It is no longer news that the Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the recently concluded elections, Mr. Peter Obi was detained, rigorously interrogated before being deported from the UK back to Nigeria.
This was earlier made known on a statement issued Wednesday by the Head, Obi-Datti Media, Diran Onifade.
The LP presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential poll arrived at the Heathrow Airport in London from Nigeria on Good Friday, April 7, 2023, and joined the queue for the necessary Airport protocols when he was accosted by immigration officials who handed him a detention note and told him to step aside,” Mr Onifade said.
According to the statement, Peter Obi was harassed by London immigration officials and placed in detention where he spent the Easter holidays.
Lots of questions have been asked as to the exact details of what actually transpired with many awaiting official report from the UK Immigration service. Although its been reported that Peter Obi in the course of interrogation had pleaded for details of his ordeal with the UK Immigration to be kept secret in order to protect his image.
However, experts continue to analyze the reasons why Mr Peter Gregory Obi spent Easter in detention with the most obvious point being allegation of impersonation. However 3 key factors come to the fore beyond the obvious which makes for grim reading. Theses include;
Allegation of Receiving funds from unknown sources; Since his move to the Labour Party and subsequent announcement as the Presidential flag bearer of the party as evolution of the ‘Obidients’ movement, accountability has never been a strong point of the movement.
It is no gainsaying that Obi’s campaign received considerable support and funding locally and internationally. In fact some party campaigns, briefing and functions were tolled with attendees having to pay sizeable sum it money to attend.
Vivid instances are abound with numerous fundraising campaigns in the UK and other countries around the world
Coupled with this is the financial backing gotten from some philanthropists mostly of eastern extraction as well as allegations of receiving funds from unknown sources for his campaign.
Failure to submit accounts for Scrutiny; Like the saying goes, “He who comes with equity must come with open hands” curiously however, Peter Obi despite his self acclaimed accountabilty and his ‘go and verify’ mantra was reported to have declined submitting accounts for Scrutiny thereby delisting it.
For many, failure to submit accounts can only mean that ‘theres a skeleton in the cupboard’. Moreso, because campaign funds were received through several accounts with different names such that could have opened the doors to different forms of financial malpractice with or without Peter Obi’s knowledge.
The UK surely cannot turn a blind eye under the pretext of his personality to let such slide. Peter also did not cover himself in glory by reportedly being obstinate and secretive with his finacaila details
The ‘Yes Daddy’ Factor: Just a couple of weeks back Peter Obi was embroiled in a controversy following the release of this conversation with Bishop Oyedepo in which he declared that the elections was a religious war.
The now infamous ‘Yes Daddy’ conversation has continued to receive backlash especially as Peter Obi’s camp have struggled to deny the genuineness of the audio recording. The conversation has received public criticism even from section of the Obidients camp.
For sure, the international community not least the UK has also gotten wind of the situation surrounding Obi claiming religious war with a man who has been banned from entering the United Kingdom in Bishop Oyedepo.
The full extent of the implications of the ‘Yes Daddy’ conversation is still not yet felt with local and international community now taking into cognizance the damaging effects of the statements made in the conversation.