Former Anambra State Governor and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has claimed that some of his close friends discourage him from attending their personal events because they fear being targeted by the government.
Speaking during an interview on With Chude, Obi said friends often invite him to weddings, birthday celebrations and burial ceremonies but later privately ask him not to attend. “Friends invite me to weddings and burials but beg me not to come because they fear being targeted,” he said.
Obi alleged that the current political climate has created fear among his associates, adding that some airport workers hesitate to greet him publicly for fear of attracting attention. He also recalled an incident in which officials allegedly locked only his vehicle at an airport while leaving others untouched, describing it as discrimination.
Obi argued that the experiences reflect growing intimidation of opposition figures and warned that Nigeria is becoming increasingly divided. He said he remains committed to speaking out despite repeated warnings to be cautious, stressing that democracy can only thrive when citizens are free to associate without fear of intimidation or reprisals, regardless of political affiliation.
