Aides Speak On DSS Arresting Peter Obi In Abuja

Two close aides of the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, have debunked the claims of his arrest as false.

Naija News gathered that reports on social media had suggested that the former Anambra State governor was allegedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) on Tuesday night at his Abuja residence. The rumours linked the alleged arrest to Obi’s recent press conference, where he voiced concerns about the nation’s challenges, including insecurity and widespread hunger.

However, Prof. Stella Okunna, former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning during Obi’s administration and currently Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Paul University, Awka, and Dr. Valentine Obienyem, Obi’s media aide, refuted the allegations in an interview with LEADERSHIP.

Both confirmed that no security agency had detained Obi.

According to the duo, Obi was at the official commissioning of the permanent site of the University of the Niger in Umuanya, Anambra State, on Tuesday.

The event, presided over by the Primate of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Henry Ndukuba, featured Obi as a guest of honor.

Obienyem disclosed that during the ceremony, Obi reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the university, stating, “I Will Keep Supporting the University of Niger.”

Reflecting on his tenure as governor, Obi highlighted his decision to return mission schools to their original owners, which he credited with revitalizing faith in educational investments.

“The return of schools to the Church was a milestone in rebuilding our education system. It renewed the confidence of both the Catholic and Anglican communities, inspiring them to lift education to great heights and eventually establish new universities in Anambra State. These institutions have since played a significant role in advancing human capital development in the state and beyond,” Obi reportedly said.

Recall that Peter Obi had in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday denied reports of his arrest, stating that he was in his hometown in Anambra State.