A former Presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has again dragged the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, on his comment on the allegation of burial sponsorship levelled against him.
Omokri who berated Obi via his X handle on Monday evening, insisted that the LP chieftain had not answered the question he asked on whether he sponsored Oseni’s father’s burial or not.
Premium Politics had reported earlier, that the former Anambra state governor, had through his X handle on Monday, described Reno’s allegation as baseless.
Reno Omokri who is currently having a face-off with Oseni, based on a subpoena that the Arise TV host claimed was sent to the Chicago State University by a US Court, compelling the institution to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu, had on Sunday alleged that Oseni’s father’s burial was sponsored by Obi, who Reno claimed the TV presenter, works for, to run propaganda against Tinubu.
It would be recalled that Obi and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, are challenging the victory of Tinubu in the February 25, Presidential election, in which Tinubu was declared the winner, by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Reacting to the allegation on Monday, August 28, 2023, Obi who claimed that he does not normally react to such allegations, wrote: “Ordinarily, I do not get involved in name-calling and mud-slinging. Neither do I attack people nor try to defame their personalities in the course of my political journey. I have also avoided replying to cheap, wicked or malicious blackmail publicly or privately in the same irresponsible manner that they are thrown at me. Anyone who has followed my corporate and political life knows that I always stay on issues, with my focus on finding solutions to societal challenges and ameliorating the suffering of the people.
“I do however need to clarify a few issues, especially since a third party is involved.
“There is a recent case where my name has been mentioned in malicious and cheap blackmail against one of Nigeria’s best Television presenters, Mr Rufai Oseni, who has stood sternly for what is right and has challenged me fearlessly on some occasions while speaking truth to power. I have recently been mentioned to have bribed Mr. Rufai Oseni by financially sponsoring the burial of his father.
“Let me clearly state that this is a categorical lie. It is not true, cannot be true and will never be true. Everyone who understands or follows my approach to things will attest to the fact that I do not give anyone money to promote my name.
“I have never and will never monetarily induce any journalist to speak or write in my favour.
“When I am invited to birthday celebrations or funerals, people know that I do attend. Countless journalists, media personnel, the less privileged, the wealthy etc., have all invited me to their occasions, and they will attest to the fact that I honour such invitations, especially when people are grieving. I have never been to Rufai’s village. Even at the point of writing this, I do not know where he is from.
“One then wonders why people could decide to tarnish other people’s image for no justifiable reason. To those involved in such evil endeavours, I wish them well and pray that God will have mercy on them.
“I still maintain that our focus in Nigeria should be on rescuing our dear Nation from the many challenges plaguing it. We should focus more on lifting people out of poverty. Millions of Nigerians do not know where their next meal will come from.
“We have millions of unemployed youths in their productive age with very little production going on in Nigeria to create jobs. Finding solutions to these challenges should command our attention, for the progress of our dear nation, Nigeria – and that is what I remain committed to. A New Inclusive and Sustainable Nigeria is Possible!”
“Reacting to Obi’s response, Omokri wrote: Look, I have a Masters in Law and am not moved by empty sophistry. I asked a question that Mr. Peter Obi had NOT answered and tried to use semantics to dodge. My question is this:
“Did Peter Obi fund the funeral of Mr RMr.ai Oseni’s father by giving him money in cash or via electronic means, either directly or through a third party, and has that influenced Mr Oseni’s open bias in favour of Peter Obi, whereby Mr Oseni used the AriseTV platform as a medium to campaign for and launder the image of Mr Peter Obi, and his undisguised personal animosity towards me for my refusal to support Mr Peter Obi’s Presidential ambition?
“Yes or no. Mr. Peter Obi, you did not respond to that question. You said you did not “bribe” Mr Rufai Oseni. However, that is not what I asked.
“Did you or did you not give money, either directly or indirectly, to Mr Rufai Oseni? Yes or no? Simple.
