In a swift response to swirling social media speculation, close associates of Peter Obi have emphatically denied rumors that the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate was arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS).
The unfounded claims suggested that DSS operatives had detained Obi at his Abuja residence on Tuesday night, allegedly in connection with his recent outspoken comments on national issues including insecurity and hunger. However, two of his closest confidants have set the record straight.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, Prof. Stella Okunna, who served as Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning during Obi’s governorship, and Dr. Valentine Obienyem, his media aide, confirmed that far from being under arrest, Obi was actually attending a significant educational event in Anambra State.
The former governor was spotted at the official commissioning of the University of the Niger’s permanent site in Umuanya, where he joined the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Henry Ndukuba.
During the ceremony, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the institution’s development, while reflecting on his landmark decision to return mission schools to their original owners during his governorship.
“The return of schools to the Church was a milestone in rebuilding our education system,” Obi was quoted as saying at the event.
He explained how this policy decision had encouraged both Catholic and Anglican communities to invest more heavily in education, leading to the establishment of new universities across Anambra State. Putting the final nail in the coffin of the arrest rumors, Obi himself took to X on Wednesday to personally dismiss the speculation, confirming that he was in his hometown in Anambra State, not in DSS custody as falsely claimed.
