Tido Lawal
Professor Pat Utomi has demanding evidence proving the claims made by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga that Mr Peter Obi, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, is fuelling the proposed nationwide protest against FG’s harsh economic policies billed from August 1 to August 10, 2024.
Recall that Onanuga had accused Peter Obi and his supporters, including Utomi, of masterminding the upcoming protest.
Utomu, via his X, challenged Onanuga to provide proof of his involvement.
According to him, “Esteem just collapsed before me. I used to think Bayo Onanuga was a journalist of some standing until I began to receive calls this morning about his accusing me of planning demonstrations for August.”
He said he had been residing in Washington, D.C., for several months, engaged in an intensive fellowship and working on a book project, and was unaware of the protest plans until recently.
He continued, “I have been resident in Washington D.C. and occupied by an intense Fellowship for months with additional work on a book project such that I did not even know demonstrations were being planned until I called a senior civil servant in Abuja,” Utomi stated. He further mentioned that he learned about the protest plans when a civil servant in Abuja advised him to be cautious of potential flight disruptions due to the demonstrations.
Utomi emphasized his support for citizens’ right to protest, despite his lack of involvement in the planning. He said the accusation might be a deliberate falsehood to justify a sinister plan. “This morning when I heard about Onanuga’s comment, my inclination was to ignore it. But another caller suggested it could be deliberate falsehood to rationalize a sinister plan.”
He urged Onanuga to present any evidence that supports the accusations. “I would like Mr. Onanuga to present any evidence to justify his comment.”
