“I Am Not Gay, Stop Pulling Attention Away From Nigeria’s Problems”

By Oseloka Obi

Peter Obi’s son, in a letter to Nigerians, addresses the issue of his sexuality, reveals he is an actor, asks Nigerians to face, headlong, the many problems confronting the country instead of indulging in beer palour gossip, barefaced lies, and says his father has his vote, not because he is his father, but because he is very capable of fixing Nigeria

Dear Nigerians,

I have refrained from engaging in the vitriol, scorn, and suspicion directed at me online, because I was not raised to trade in lies, or to indulge in false narrative.

I did not do so as a child, and I will not begin now as a grown man.

Because of my Father’s involvement in Nigerian Politics, there has been a persistence curiousity and, atimes, malicious obsession with me. Why? I do not know.

I have no social media presence and no interest in maintaining one, so I rarely correct these falsehoods. But Perheps, it is time to address them.

I understand that gossip follows those connected to public life. But let me remind you: my father is the one in politics and not me. To assume that my life or choices are somehow political statements is a flawed and childish calculations.

It reveals more about the pettiness of those spreading such narratives than it does about me or my father.

This pattern has become all too familiar. Individuals opposed to my father, seized ordinary photos of me- Images that are neither hidden nor secret- and repackage them with false stories.

These are not revelations, they are not “exposes”. They are simply misrepresentations; fiction, spun from pictures. I have seen this  happen to others but experiencing it myself repeatedly is deeply unsettling. Still, I want it to be known clearly: that what is being circulated is gossip.

I am an actor by profession. Many are surprised, given the businessman, entrepreneur,  an economist my father is. I’m sure  he imagined I might follow that path-yet though my career is far from what he envisioned, he supports me fully.

Unlike many Chidren of Nigerian politicians, I have never relied on nepotism. I was raised to know that my father’s wealth is not mine, and that I must build my own life.

My chosen path is in Theatre and film-making, so far from the world he inhabits – an industry he embraces, diversity of class, race, sexuality, and identity. I portray Characters vastly different from myself, yet, some online use these roles against me and my father, presenting fiction as facts.

I trust any rationale person can see how absurd this is.

More importantly, Nigeria has far greater issues than idle speculation about what Peter Obi’s son is doing. Our nation still struggles with insecurity, a weakened economy, crumbling infrastructure,  failing health care and politicians who steal from the people they swore to serve. And yet, for some, the priority is to spread gossips about who Peter Obi’s son appears with in a photo.

This is a distraction from the real crisis that matters to all Nigerians.

The truth is simple: Peter Obi’s son appears on photos with his friends and colleagues, nothing more. If people wish to invent otherwise, I hope  they sleep soundly, knowing they are spreading lies.

Nor I or my father are perfect men, and as father and son, we have our differences. But, I can attest to his integrity and his relentless desire to lead Nigeria out of its current hardships. In our home, as a child, the lesson was always clear: face your work, do it honestly,and contribute to the good of others.

That is what I will continue to do.

So, to those who attempt to distract us with lies, I beg you, stop pulling attention away from Nigerians urgent problems.

My father has my vote, not because he is my Father, but because he is the right Man for the Job. If others wish to go low, invent scandals, or attack me to wound him, they are free to do so.

But we will go high, and we will continue to focus on the future of Nigeria.

With love, Oseloka.