Valentine Obienyem, media adviser to 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, has fired back at Dr Josef Onoh for questioning Obi’s one-term pledge and invoking the name of the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, in the process.
In a statement on Thursday, Mr Obienyem described Onoh’s recent remarks as “morally hollow” and “politically opportunistic,” accusing him of dragging revered Igbo figures into political mudslinging.
Mr Onoh had alleged in a widely circulated statement that Obi reneged on a promise to Ojukwu, the former Biafran warlord.
But Obienyem denied any such betrayal, saying Obi maintained a close and respectful relationship with Ojukwu until his death in 2011.
“It is unbefitting for Dr. Onoh to drag Ojukwu’s name into cheap political commentary,” Obienyem said, recalling how Obi frequently visited Ojukwu during his time in a UK hospital and played a major role in organising his funeral.
Obienyem added that he doubted if politicians from other regions of Nigeria would invoke the names of their late heroes as “recklessly” as some Igbo politicians do.
He also criticised Onoh’s political trajectory, describing it as inconsistent and driven by personal interest.
“This is a man who defended Tinubu during the 2023 elections but turned against the administration after failing to secure an appointment,” Obienyem said.
“Now, with elections approaching, he is once again signalling his readiness to be used, even against his own people.”
The aide challenged Onoh to provide proof that Obi failed to keep any promises, reiterating Obi’s commitment to a single term if elected president.
“Mr. Obi’s commitment reflects a deep sense of responsible leadership and moral clarity,” he said.
“Let him (Onoh) name one promise Obi made and failed to keep.”
Obienyem concluded by calling for integrity in political discourse, insisting that Onoh lacks the moral authority to question Obi’s character or intentions.
