Politics
“Don’t Be Silent, Defend Nigeria!” — Omipidan Tells Peter Obi Over Genocide Claim
said the former Anambra governor cannot remain silent
A former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, has called on Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), to rise above politics and speak up for Nigeria over what he described as a false genocide narrative.
In an open letter to Obi, Omipidan said the former Anambra governor cannot remain silent as some individuals and foreign interests continue to push what he termed a divisive and misleading claim about alleged genocide in the country.
Omipidan, a veteran journalist and author, said he decided to address Obi because of the latter’s political influence and the need for him to set the record straight for the sake of national unity.
He argued that the genocide claim being circulated internationally was without basis, insisting that “no ethnic or religious group is being systematically targeted” in Nigeria.
“I have come this far to present to you that the genocide claim is misplaced and you have a duty to defend the country on this note,” Omipidan said. “You will not be doing it for the government, but for the country. Whatever you decide to do, we will reference it at the appropriate time. But know that we must have a country first before we talk about ambitions. The time to act is now.”
Omipidan also accused U.S. President Joe Biden of hypocrisy, saying it was inconsistent for America to supply arms to Israel amid the Gaza conflict while making accusations of genocide against Nigeria.
He recounted his experiences travelling across the country and cited examples from Borno, Zamfara, and Benue States to illustrate that the violence in Nigeria cuts across religion and ethnicity.
He said he once met a 70-year-old Igbo man who was born and raised in Malam-Fatori, Borno State, and who continues to live peacefully among Muslims — a testament, he argued, to Nigeria’s long-standing coexistence.
Omipidan further linked the persistent killings in Benue to local political rivalries and the actions of militias empowered by politicians, warning that unchecked misinformation could worsen national divisions.
He urged Obi to use his voice to counter false narratives that portray Nigeria as a country at war with itself.
“Defend Nigeria, not politics,” he said, adding that leadership requires standing up for truth even when it is unpopular.
Omipidan served as Chief Press Secretary to former Osun State governor Gboyega Oyetola between 2018 and 2022.
