The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has described as laughable, the claim by a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, that the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, is using him to undermine the standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2023 general election.

Obi said Omokri, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, belongs to the group that needs to mention him online to remain visible on social media, where he “is not only trending but also rules the waves”.

The former governor of Anambra State said this via a statement issued on Thursday by his support group, Obi-Datti Movement.

The statement read: “Against this backdrop, the media office of the Obi-Datti pan Nigeria political movement views the recent remarks of a social busybody, Reno Omokri, on the high-flying candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, as an undiluted fantasy of one who struggles with a hard sell in our multi-market setting.

“We also appreciate Mr Omokri’s frustration arising from his dimming image after his catastrophic choice of candidate for 2023 and his struggle to perform the impossible of convincing the people that rusty iron can be gold.

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“We also know that Omokri belongs to the group that needs to mention Labour Party’s Peter Obi in every online commentary to remain visible on social media, where Obi is not only trending but also rules the waves.

“It is laughable when Mr Omokri says that the All Progressives Congress candidate is using Peter Obi to undermine his People’s Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

“For the umpteenth time, we advise Omokri to learn to remain in his parallel lane [our ways] to journey to 2022 to reach his final destination even if he cannot get the ultimate medal.

“With the ample time, Omokri has to market his candidate, he chooses to fantasise and drag Peter Obi into whatever he wants to say. For the sake of catching netizens’ attention.

“We want to urge all members of the Obidient family to remain focused with their eyes on the ball and refuse to be distracted. Focus on a new Nigeria; it is more realisable now than ever before.”

The Star