Ike Abonyi, a well-known writer, author, and columnist, has refuted allegations made by social media user Deji Adeyanju that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, promised him money in exchange for his support.
Abonyi described Adeyanju’s claims as untrue and said that he was there at the meeting between Obi and Adeyanju prior to the elections.
In contrast to Adeyanju’s social media story, Abonyi said in a statement on Friday that Obi never made any material or monetary offer throughout their three-hour conversation.
“I was at the meeting Deji had with Obi and was there all through. None of the things Deji claimed ever happened. No money was offered during or after the meeting, and there was no promise of any to the best of my knowledge,” Abonyi said.
According to the journalist, Adeyanju had also implied in July 2022 that Obi was amenable to taking a position from Bola Tinubu, the then-APC presidential candidate. Abonyi at the time privately disputed this assertion.
He added that the purpose of the meeting he set up was to discuss Adeyanju’s potential candidature for the Labour Party’s seat in the AMAC House of Representatives, not to offer inducement.
Read Also: Peter Obi under backlash over Adeyanju’s controversial allegation, Aisha Yesufu voices out
“It would be unfair to my conscience as a Christian and a journalist to allow Deji Adeyanju to continue with this false narrative. Obi simply shared his life and political journey as he has always done publicly. Nothing more,” he added.
Abonyi further bemoaned the fact that Deji Adeyanju, who is now a lawyer, would continue to promote what he described as “a voyage of blackmail,” and he urged him to respect honour and truth if he wants to advance in his career.
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