Peter Obi, the Labour party presidential candidate, was detained and harassed by immigration officers at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom, according to a statement from the Labour Party campaign office.
The incident occurred on April 7, 2023, when Obi arrived in London from Nigeria. Labour Party campaign spokesman Diran Onifade explained that Obi was questioned for a long time and accused of a duplication offense, which the campaign office believes may have been committed by an impersonator.
Onifade expressed concern that the impersonator may have been committing crimes in Obi’s name, which could lead to serious consequences.
The Nigerian government has accused Obi and his running mate of treason for allegedly inciting people to violence over the outcome of the February 25 presidential election.
Obi came third in the election behind Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Tinubu, who was declared the winner of the poll. Atiku and Obi are currently in court to challenge Tinubu’s victory, with both claiming to have won the election.
Onifade accused the Nigerian government of attempting to discredit Obi, stating that his telephone line was bugged and that officials attempted to persuade him to leave the country. Obi is currently in Nigeria, where he is doing charity work, visiting health and educational institutions, making donations, and receiving awards.
