Renowned journalist, author, and respected columnist, Ike Abonyi, has openly dismissed and strongly refuted the recent allegations made by Human Rights Activist and Lawyer, Deji Adeyanju. According to Adeyanju, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, had allegedly attempted to buy his loyalty and political support ahead of the polls. Abonyi, however, described this claim as completely false, misleading, and contrary to the events that transpired.
In a detailed statement released in Abuja on Friday, Abonyi clarified that he was not only aware of the said meeting but was the very person who personally facilitated and brokered the meeting between Obi and Adeyanju before the 2023 elections. He further emphasized that he also attended the meeting in full and paid close attention throughout the discussion. Stressing his position firmly, he said that at no point in time was there ever an offer of money or any form of financial inducement by Obi to Adeyanju.
Abonyi, who acknowledged his long-standing friendship with Adeyanju, said he found the activist’s claims not only disturbing but also disappointing, given their personal relationship. He explained that the narrative pushed out by Adeyanju on social media was completely at variance with what truly happened.
“I am at pains joining issues with a friend in public, but at this instance, I cannot keep mum and allow untruths to thrive. My friend Deji Adeyanju just tweeted that why he stopped supporting the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, was when he told him that he invested Anambra State money in his family business. I was at the meeting Deji had with Obi and was there all through. After about three hours of frank discussion in which Obi narrated his life story in and out of government, none of which was new, I was shocked to my marrow reading from Deji what I did not hear,” Abonyi stated in his release.
The journalist went further to explain that he had been concerned about Adeyanju’s posture towards Obi even before the 2023 elections. As far back as July 2022, he had expressed his worries over Adeyanju’s public criticism of Obi. He recalled a particular instance where Adeyanju posted on social media suggesting that Obi might be open to accepting an appointment from then–APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu. Abonyi described such insinuations as baseless and unfair, especially as Obi had made it clear he was focused on his presidential ambition and was not seeking any job from another candidate.
“My brother, when did it get to this point? Obi is not looking for a job that Tinubu will be offering. As my friend, if you no longer believe in the Obi project, I encourage you to stay on issues that will enhance your own reputation,” Abonyi recalled writing to Adeyanju at that time.
According to Abonyi, he had made several private efforts to reach Adeyanju in order to address these sensitive issues. However, all attempts to engage him were unsuccessful, as Adeyanju allegedly ignored his phone calls and messages.
“As a journalist of long standing and as a Christian, I don’t need to be an Obi-centric person to resolve issues that border on facts and falsehood. No money was offered during or after the meeting, and there was no promise of any to the best of my knowledge,” Abonyi maintained.
He further pointed out that Adeyanju himself had in the past openly declared Peter Obi as the most competent and qualified candidate in the 2023 presidential race. Adeyanju was also among those who encouraged Obi to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and seek his ambition on another platform, which eventually led him to the Labour Party.
Abonyi concluded by noting that while Adeyanju has every right to change his political stance or switch support depending on his preferences, such decisions should not be based on fabrications or falsehoods. “He is free to do a U-turn in supporting him, depending on what appeals to him, but should not base that on what is not true,” he added.
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