Peter Obi refutes claim that Labour Party is responsible for spreading fake news on social media

The opposition, according to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party, LP, has embraced negative trends, fake news, and misinformation as the official start of the 2023 election campaign draws near.

This accusation was made by Obi on Thursday in a statement posted to his Twitter account.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, or INEC, has set a date of September 28 for the official start of the election campaign.

He said, “As we approach the official kick-off of the 2023 election campaign, it has become evident that the opposition has adopted a negative strategy of trolling and insinuating fake news and misinformation in the social media space. 

He bemoaned the fact that the fake news and vitriol circulating on social media are being attributed to the Labour Party presidential candidate and the party's followers.

But Obi insisted that they would stick to their guns and run a moral and issue-based campaign.

“We will also rebuff all such ploys of deceit and calumny meant to create disaffection among Nigeria’s voting population, who desire credible leadership change. – PO,” he added. 

Recall that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the APC's presidential candidate, and Obi recently engaged in verbal combat after the former accused the latter's followers of spreading false information about other contenders, particularly Tinubu, in the run-up to the 2023 general elections.

In a statement released by his campaign organization, Tinubu encouraged Obi to warn his supporters and let the election debate centre on topics that would enhance the development, advancement, and stability of Nigeria.

Bayo Onanuga, the director of media and communications for the Tinubu Campaign Organization, TCO, also warned Obi to urge his supporters to stop disseminating misinformation and disparaging other candidates, particularly Tinubu, and said that fake news will not win the 2023 election.

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