Mr. Ezeoke , political Nigerian campaigner and philanthropist living abroad narrated the treatment melted at 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate and former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi on how the political “system tries to silence” with its long arm even outside the shore of the country.

Ekeoke had posted on X on Wednesday revealing that on 31st May after having spoken on “From Promise to Prosperity: Charting Africa’s Development with Political Will and Vision”  at London Business School, the due had proceeded to Brentford Community Stadium to support Nigeria team at a football game against  Jamaica in the Unity Cup Final.

In his words: “At the entrance, we ran into D’Banj, who came to perform at the event. We slipped in and sat near the Nigerian team.

“The match ended 2-2 and went to penalties. As it got intense, the crowd—mostly young Nigerians—started chanting: “Obi! Obi! Obi! Obi!” Some players began noticing him too.

“To avoid becoming a distraction, Mr. Obi quietly stepped back, cheering the team from a distance during the penalty shootout. But after Nigeria won, some officials invited him to join their post-match photo session.

“True to form, he politely asked them to get clearance from the officials. Suddenly, everything changed. One of the officials, after a phone call, returned with a hardened face and shouted: “He is not allowed to take pictures with the team!”

“Just moments earlier, the same officials were been visibly excited about Mr. Obi’s presence. The transformation was disturbing. It was clear someone had given a directive. The atmosphere shifted instantly.

“One player, still determined, tried to greet him after the photos. But from the pitch, a voice thundered: “You have been told not to greet him!” Security physically blocked the player from reaching Mr. Obi.

“The player, visibly upset, walked off the pitch straight to the dressing room. It was shocking to witness. Even efforts to see the team even in the dressing room was met with same instructions from above. Unbelievable!

“Meanwhile, both Nigerian and Jamaican fans continued swarming Mr. Obi for photos. They didn’t care about politics—only the man they respect.

“I left the stadium thinking: Even in football, a sport meant to unite us, politics has been weaponised. That moment deepened my resolve: In 2027, we must build a country where no one is silenced based on party affiliation. A nation where everyone is equal.” He concluded

This narration has thus sparked outrage on the social media, as people openly accused the All Progressives Congress —APC— for such atrocities while some reasoned that Obi shouldn’t have seek for permission in the first instance.

It is being debated that the citizens enable the ruling party to misbehave as it refuses to resist and revolt against the system that oppresses them.

@OracleAyo wrote: “That is the trademark of APC”

@BolanleA4: “WTAF…..This is unacceptable and extremely sad! I was going to attend the football with my daughter when I told her PO was going. Is this what she would have witnessed? Shame on those officials and the person who gave that instruction. PO has been supporting our Super Eagles for a long time. It isn’t a partisan issue.”

@seanpepsiky: “the more they try to tear down @PeterObi, the more his grace and relevance grow. It’s almost as if their hate is fueling his influence. As for some of you APC loyalists who spend your days spreading venom instead of facts, may karma visit you and your generation unborn. I said what I said.”

While some simply brow shamed the narrator into not mentioning names of officials who barred the players from taking pictures with Obi, a few in the defence of the sitting president claimed he may not be aware of the alleged instruction, as some of the political officials are only acting in their own capacity, while the system heap blame on the Tinubu, especially for the ongoing reform that seems to have impoverish the people rather than enrich them.

@enwagboso: “The same Obidients weaponize their movement against Nigerians who have different views on the political landscape. Shouldn’t politics unite us? Stop the hypocrisy.”

@pledge2nigeria: “And the funny thing is that Mr President, most likely, has no clue know about this. Again, they have denigrated Nigeria in the eyes of the international community. Another negative topic for discussion. What’s the point?”

@TJLoyo: “It is his imagination that the system want to silence him as he is part of the system. Let him keep gaslighting you guys until you all start to make your brains to function.”

By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth