The Obidient Movement in Imo State has dismissed reports linking its leader, Peter Obi, to the recent visit of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to the state.
In a statement signed by Anukanti Vigilius Chukwuka, Coordinator of the Imo State chapter, the group clarified that Obi had no connection with El-Rufai’s visit.
El-Rufai was in Imo over the weekend to attend the annual Odenigbo Lecture, a cultural and intellectual event organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri.
The Obidient Movement noted that several misconceptions had trailed the visit, including claims that Obi invited El-Rufai to the event.
The statement reads, “It has come to our attention that numerous misconceptions are being attached to the visit of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, to Imo State at the weekend.
“We have also noted but are not surprised by the linkage of our Principal Peter Obi to the visit, some even claiming that it’s Obi who invited him to Imo state.
“To set the record straight, the function El Rufai attended is not a political gathering but a cultural intellectual event called the Odenigbo lecture that is organised annually by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri, and it is usually open to all dignitaries across the country.
“The day preceding the public lecture an illustrious son of Imo State, Hon. Nnaemeka Madagwu, a former Speaker of Imo State Assembly during the reign of Achike Udenwa hosted El-Rufai, who was his boss and who appointed him Transport Secretary when El Rufai was the FCT Minister.
“Peter Obi was not even at this year’s lecture even though he attended previous ones when he was Governor, but the mischief makers are everywhere dragging Obi’s name as the man who invited El Rufai.
“Obi honoured the invitation to the dinner in honour of El Rufai, his colleague in the Coalition, because he saw it as a good Igbo spirit of not forgetting our benefactors.
“Our Principal is desirous to create a new Nigeria, that is possible and is willing to do it with all well-meaning Nigerians.”