Treason Accusation: American professor shields Peter Obi from FG

American-based educator and author, Dr. Jeffrey Guterman has jumped to the defense of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party after he was accused of treasonable offenses by the federal government.

Obi, one of the aggrieved parties in the just-ended presidential and national assembly elections is alleged to have incited his supporters against the state and the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The former Anambra governor has since debunked the allegations in a statement.

Reacting to the latest round of allegations against Obi, Guterman, a supporter of Obi said that the APC is only projecting its corruption through these accusations.

He tweeted: "Your accusers are projecting their own corruption and maliciousness, @PeterObi"

How did Peter Obi respond?

Peter Obi in a statement on his official Twitter handle faulted the federal government for the accusations he described as "totally malicious and fictitious".

He noted that he is on record to have promoted peace despite the controversy that shrouded the presidential and national assembly elections.

Your accusers are projecting their own corruption and maliciousness, @PeterObi.

— Dr. Jeffrey Guterman (@JeffreyGuterman) April 4, 2023

Read his statement below

In the past few days, I have observed various campaigns of calumny directed at my person, with the latest being allegations attributed to the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed from Washington DC.

It is most unfortunate that these consistent efforts to portray me quite contrary to what I am, and my core values, is coming from such high quarters. Minister Lai accusing me of stoking insurrection is totally malicious and fictitious.

I have never discussed or encouraged anyone to undermine the Nigerian state; I have never sponsored or preached any action against the Nigerian state. Those initiating these actions have increasingly used their official positions and agents to make false allegations against me.

I am on record as always, advocating for peace and issue-based campaign and never campaigned based on ethnicity or religion. I am committed to due process, and presently seeking redress in the Court.

I urge those engaged in this demarketing process to stop presenting Nigeria in such bad light. Our future generations deserve a new Nigeria, where they can live a secure and decent life like their counterparts in other climes. It is possible. -PO

What did Lai Mohammed say?

“Obi and his Vice, Datti-Ahmed cannot be threatening Nigerians that if the President-elect, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is sworn in on May 29, it will be the end of democracy in Nigeria.

“This is treason. You cannot be inviting insurrection, and this is what they are doing.

“Obi’s statement is that of a desperate person, he is not a democrat that he claimed to be.

According to the minister, both Messrs Obi and Atiku failed to meet the constitutional requirements to be declared as president.

“The constitution has stringent criteria for anybody who wants to be president of the country.

“Not only must he have the plurality of votes cast in an election, he must also have scored one-quarter of votes cast in at least 25 states.