Activist Aisha Yesufu has dismissed claims that Peter Obi ordered the arrest of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai in 2013.
During her appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, Yesufu addressed the renewed allegation.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State had accused Obi of orchestrating El-Rufai’s detention during the Anambra governorship election.
However, Yesufu insisted that the Department of State Services (DSS) made that decision independently. According to her, the agency acted on federal instructions.
She emphasized that Obi had no power over the DSS or any federal institution.
“Peter Obi did not arrest El-Rufai,” she said. “The DSS handled that based on intelligence reports.”
Furthermore, she explained that the 2013 incident took place under the presidency of Goodluck Jonathan, who was a PDP leader.
Therefore, only the federal government could direct the DSS not a state governor like Obi.
Yesufu also accused political actors of manipulating facts ahead of the 2027 elections.
She believes the new wave of accusations is part of a campaign to damage Obi’s credibility.
In addition, she reacted strongly to Governor Okpebholo’s recent threat. He had warned Obi to notify the state before visiting again.
Yesufu described the statement as unconstitutional.
“Edo State is not the governor’s personal property,” she said. “Every Nigerian has the right to move freely across the country.”
To support her point, Yesufu reminded Nigerians that the constitution guarantees freedom of movement.
She urged citizens to resist intimidation and focus on defending their rights.
Moreover, she called on journalists to verify facts before spreading narratives. She urged the media to avoid amplifying politically motivated misinformation.
As the 2027 elections draw near, the political atmosphere has grown tense. Many politicians have turned to smear tactics instead of focusing on national issues.
Yesufu defended Obi’s record and urged opponents to engage in issue-based debates. She argued that facts would always triumph over falsehood.
“If Peter Obi had truly arrested El-Rufai, a lawsuit would have followed. That never happened,” she said.
In conclusion, she urged Nigerians to demand accountability and reject lies dressed as truth.