By Seye Ojo
Ike Abonyi, a prominent journalist and political activist, has openly challenged a fellow activist, Deji Adeyanju’s recent claims concerning former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who was the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
Abonyi revealed details of a discussion at a meeting attended by Obi, Adeyanju, and himself in July 2022, prior to the 2023 general elections.
Abonyi emphasised the stark contrast between their recollections and Adeyanju’s subsequent assertions.
According to him, during the strategic meeting aimed at exploring potential opportunities for Adeyanju within the Labour Party, of which Obi was the presidential candidate, an atmosphere of camaraderie and openness prevailed.
“A few weeks later, Deji was quoted as saying that Obi came to offer him money, but he refused, and that Obi told him he invested in the family business as a governor,” he said.
Abonyi, reflecting on the three-hour conversation, said: “Nothing was offered either in monetary terms or as a physical gift at the meeting.”
He continued: “I didn’t know what caused the sudden fabrication, whether he was expecting Obi to have offered something and was disappointed it didn’t come.
“I couldn’t make sense out of it. I called Deji and wanted to know if he met with Obi after our meeting, and he kept mum.”
He stated that during the meeting, Obi shared his political journey, and Adeyanju discussed the profound influence of his mother on his life.
Abonyi noted that some weeks after the meeting, Adeyanju reportedly claimed that Obi had offered him money during their meeting.
The statement by Adeyanju, he stated, raised eyebrows among political observers and fans of the Labour Party.
“I was perplexed. I called Deji to inquire if he met with Obi again after we left, but he remained silent,” Abonyi recounted.
In 2022, Adeyanju, then still a law student, was seemingly positioned to run for a House of Representatives seat under the Labour Party—a move he later abandoned.
Abonyi, initially a friend and ally to both men, explained that he felt compelled to clarify the situation publicly after Adeyanju’s allegations began to tarnish Obi’s hard-earned reputation.
“It would be unfair to my conscience as a Christian and a journalist to allow Deji to continue with his false narrative in the name of activism,” Abonyi asserted.
He urged Adeyanju to embrace the principles of truth and honour, especially as he now enters the legal profession.
“After being called to the Nigerian Bar, Deji should understand the weight of his words and the damage falsehoods can cause,” he added.