Society Gists

Reuben Abati, former presidential spokesperson, says the recent press conference of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), is “needless”.

On Wednesday, Obi organised a world press conference, which took place in Abuja, where he asked President Bola Tinubu to “reintroduce” himself to Nigerians.

The LP presidential candidate said the controversy over Tinubu’s academic records has made foreigners to start profiling Nigerians as “fraudsters, certificate forgers or identity thieves”.

Reacting to Obi’s comment, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the LP candidate is looking for “cheap” media attention, adding that the president doesn’t need reintroduction.

Over the past few months, there has been a raging controversy over the academic records of Tinubu following the court case instituted by Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against Chicago State University (CSU).

Speaking on Thursday during Arise TV’s Morning Show, Abati, a co-host of the programme, said Obi is seeking attention, adding that the former Anambra governor may be considering a career in evangelism.

The former presidential spokesperson said Obi’s grievances on the academic records of Tinubu should be laid before the court and not at a press conference.

“When I saw the press conference by Mr Peter Obi yesterday, I thought it was needless,” he said.

“If Peter Obi is considering a career in evangelism… there are many people who have gone from other careers into evangelism.

“Within the framework of the electoral process, what he did yesterday in my view was just seeking media attention and looking for publicity.

“The only appropriate forum that Mr Peter Obi can adopt is to go to court and say he has issues to raise.

“But to come forward and be giving a press conference and moralising, it does not quite fall within the framework of the matter before us.”

Abati served as special adviser on media and publicity to former President Goodluck Jonathan between 2011 and 2015.