The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi has dismissed viral photos suggesting he recently met with former U.S. President Donald Trump and transport union leader, Musiliu “MC Oluomo” Akinsanya.
In a statement shared Wednesday on his X (formerly Twitter) account, titled “Clarification on Fake News and Photos,” Obi said the images and accompanying stories were deliberately fabricated to mislead the public.
“My attention has been drawn to pictures circulating on social media, falsely portraying meetings I never had. One such image shows me with Donald Trump, alongside a fabricated claim that he praised me,” Obi explained. “Another depicts me with MC Oluomo in his office. Both pictures are fake and doctored, and the accompanying stories are entirely false. I have not met Mr. Trump recently, nor have I held any meeting with MC Oluomo.”
He warned that the incident underscores the growing threat of fake news and disinformation aimed at confusing and distracting the public.
“For the avoidance of doubt, if I had such meetings, I would have personally made them public on my X handle. My politics has never been about seeking praise or cheap publicity; it is about confronting Nigeria’s real problems,” he added.
Obi reiterated his commitment to addressing the country’s key challenges, including insecurity, strengthening the rule of law, improving education and healthcare, and lifting millions of Nigerians out of poverty.