THE Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Office has confirmed that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, was detained by immigration officers at Heathrow Airport, London, United Kingdom (UK) based on suspected duplication of identity.
According to a statement released by the Head of Media of the Obi-Datti Campaign, Diran Onifade, on Wednesday, April 12, Obi was detained and interrogated for hours by Immigration officials over offences allegedly committed by an impostor.
Onifade said the spontaneous action of Nigerians at Heathrow Airport saved the LP presidential candidate, who has just returned from London, where he celebrated Easter.
The statement reads: “The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, just back from London, United Kingdom where he celebrated Easter, has confirmed that he was harassed by London Immigration officials and placed in detention but for the spontaneous reaction of Nigerians at Heathrow Airport.
“Obi-Datti Media Office can confirm that the LP presidential candidate in the February 25 presidential poll arrived at the Heathrow Airport in London from Nigeria on Good Friday, April 7, 2023, and joined the queue for the necessary airport protocols when he was accosted by Immigration official who handed him a detention note and told him to step aside.
“He was questioned for a long time, and it was very strange for a man who lived for over a decade in that country.”
Onifade further disclosed that the intervention of Nigerians who were likely was what saved Obidients as Obi was recognised by Nigerians in the Diaspora who are likely Obidients was what saved the situation as they raised their voices , wondering why he was being delayed.
“The Immigration officials who were also taken aback at the reaction of the people were forced to reveal that Obi was being questioned for a duplication offence meaning that someone has been impersonating him in London,” Onifade stated.
.He noted that the implication of the offence is that the impersonator could be committing serious crimes and other dubious acts that would be recorded in Obi’s name.
The Obi-Datti Media office claimed that its principal had been the target of numerous attacks since the February 25, Presidential Election in which he finished third out of 18 candidates.
The campaign office further stated that Since Obi was told to go to court, there have been severe attacks on him from all corners.
Onifade observed that the Federal Government, which directed Obi “to go to court,” still despatched the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammad, to the United States to de-market Obi and accused him of treason.
According to him, Obi is back in the country and has continued his charity works.
