Moses Paul, an aide to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has revealed why some of Obi’s former associates in the banking and business sectors are now shying away from him in public.
In an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica, Paul explained that the fear of backlash from President Bola Tinubu’s administration is causing Obi’s former business and banking colleagues to distance themselves from him.
Paul recounted a recent encounter in Kigali, Rwanda, where prominent Nigerian businessman Aliko Dangote, along with other business figures, deliberately avoided Obi during a public event.
Read Also: Peter Obi: I’ve received over 200 death threats – APC Morka
He said: “There was an occasion when I travelled to Rwanda with Mr. Peter Obi. Alhaji Aliko Dangote was in Kigali to hold a conference alongside lots of top Nigerian businessmen and bankers.
“You will not believe that people who were friends with Peter Obi in the banking sector were dodging and avoiding being seen with him because of fear of retribution from the Tinubu government against them or their businesses.
“It’s shocking that in the 21st century, people are afraid to be seen with an opposition leader because of fear of what the government of the day will do. This shouldn’t be coming from a country like Nigeria that is the only future of the black man on the face of the earth.”