The media aides of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, have explained why Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) dreads facts and figures used by opponents in place of mere rhetoric.
In a statement Sunday, the Obi-Datti Media Office, noted the attempts by Tinubu and his party to cast aspersions on the informed use of statistics by Peter Obi, declaring that the APC candidate is ill-equipped to comprehend arithmetic or statistics.
“Tinubu had said at a rally of rented crowds in Gbaramatu Delta State that Peter Obi of the Labour Party lied with figures, stressing that “a speech-challenged contestant who cannot pronounce or spell ‘m.u.l.t.i.p.l.i.c.a.t.i.o.n’ and wants to argue about numbers, arithmetic, and statistics says a lot about how low we have climbed in this country.”
It further stated the LP candidate was brimming with practicable ideas and was demystifying electioneering rhetoric by employing simple facts and figures in his campaigns.
“Providing the numbers shows Peter Obi’s preparedness for the high office of the president if and when hired by Nigerian voters come 2023.”
The Obi-Datti Media Office said it was aware of the inability of some contestants in the presidential race to cope with Peter Obi’s speed and deep knowledge of issues.
“This has resulted in a grand design to distract his focus from the issue-driven campaigns which are resonating very well with Nigerians who are ready and committed to taking back their country from forces that have held it down over the years.”
Responding to APC on the use of figures to convey facts, the LP statement added that it is risky seeming to dine with the devil without the proverbial long spoon or to run with the robber and confusing passers-by about the identity of the real thief.
“Our candidate has said repeatedly that his assertions were verifiable and dared anybody with contrary facts and figures to come up. Analysts, media houses, and opponents have formed fact-checking units in their organisations ostensibly to contradict Peter Obi’s facts and figures but they are yet to succeed.”
It cited a recent Arise TV town hall meeting in Abuja where a team of fact-checkers was raised to hook Obi; they ended up apologising to him.
“The acceptable mantra is always if you can’t beat them join them, but in Nigerian politics, the reverse is the case: if you can’t beat them pull them down. That is what Obi’s opponents who cannot cope with his deep know-how about the economy are doing.
“We find it extremely laughable and shameful that a candidate who is aspiring to lead his country but has not been able to present any identifiable record of his origin, age, and educational background is challenging the man who is indisputably equipped with the way to go about salvaging our dear country.
“The fact that the APC man has questionable bio-data has left the electorate guessing his real age and health status.
“These days, every APC rally produces its tongue-twisters like “Blu bla blu,” “no down payment for roasted corn for electricity,” “the Deputy Senate President will be the governor of Niger Delta,” “I will recharge Lake Chad if am elected President,” “if you love me go and collect your APV and vote for APC,” “God bless PDAPC,” or miscalling the name of his campaign director-general, Solomon instead of Simon.
“Should we not weep for a country whose ruling party has a candidate like this as their first among equals?” the statement said.
