The campaign organization of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Friday, refuted media speculations that his frequent visits to churches and mosques were aimed at leveraging religious sentiments to bolster his political profile ahead of the 2027 election.
The former Anambra State governor faced criticism last month during the Ramadan season when he was seen visiting mosques to celebrate Iftar with Muslim faithful.
Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadan to break the day’s fast.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, the chief spokesman of Obi’s presidential campaign organization, Yunusa Tanko, emphasized that Obi’s acts of philanthropy and altruism transcend the complexities of politics and religion.
Tanko also condemned the ‘malicious and unsubstantiated allegation’, stating that it was orchestrated to blackmail the LP presidential candidate.
He said, “Obi’s visit to churches and mosques is purely prompted by his urge to help the less privileged and has nothing to do with political campaigns. In these places, Obi has given messages of hope to lift the spirits of the downtrodden. He has never talked about politics, abused anybody, or indulged in name-calling.
“For instance, during the Ramadan period, Obi visited some praying centers in the North and South, breaking fast with Muslim faithful, donating items to help ameliorate their sufferings, and providing basic amenities such as potable water in some communities.”
