Peter Obi Did Not Attend Odenigbo Lecture In Owerri – Obidients Clarify

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Obidient movement on Monday September 8, 2025, distanced Peter Obi from the events that culminated in the recent visit to Imo state by the former Governor of Kaduna state Malam Nasir El-Rufai.

The movement informed that Obi did not attend the Odenigbo Lecture that brought El-Rufai to Owerri, the Imo State Capital contrary some media reports.

The Source reports that this  year’s Odenigbo Lecture, a cultural and intellectual re-awakening event held annually by the Catholic Archdiocese of Owerri was disrupted by some alleged hired thugs and women who barricaded and protested at the venue, the Assumpta Catholic Cathedral, owing to the presence of the former Kaduna Governor. They were so unsure of themselves they covered their faces with the placards  they were carrying to avoid being recognised.

It was widely reported by a section of the media that El-Rufai accompanied Obi, the Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate during the 2023 general elections to the event.

But in a statement on Monday, the Coordinator of the Obidient movement Imo state chapter, Anukanti Vigilius Chukwuka, while debunking reports linking El-Rufai’s visit to Obi, noted that the former Governor of Anambra State was not part and parcel of those that attended the Odenigbo Lecture series .

“The day preceding the public lecture, an Illustrious son of Imo State, Hon. Nnaemeka Maduagwu, a former Speaker of of Imo State House of Assembly , during the reign of former Governor Achike Udenwa, hosted El-Rufai who was his boss, and who appointed him Transport Secretary when he was the FCT Minister.

“Peter Obi was not even at this year’s lecture even though he attended previous ones when he was Governor. But the mischief makers are everywhere dragging Obi’s name as the man who invited El-Rufai.

“Obi honoured the invitation to the dinner in honour of El-Rufai, his colleague in the Coalition, because he saw it as being in line with the good Igbo spirit of not forgetting our benefactors .

“Our principal is desirous to create a new Nigeria that is POssible ,and is willing to do it with all well-meaning Nigerians”, Chukwuka stated.

The Obidient movement, however, regretted that there have been numerous misleading and mischievous misconceptions attached to  El-Rufai’s attendance of this year’s Odenigbo Lecture.

Meanwhile ,the African Democratic Congress ADC, has strongly condemned the disruption of the Lecture series, describing the action of those behind the action as a  heinous desecration of the event, which is yearly put together by the Catholic Church to preserve and promote Igbo socio-cultural values.

A statement from the Imo State ADC spokesperson, Macdonald Amadi, vehemently distanced the party from any act of violence, noting that it is much more interested in creating a  conducive atmosphere for people of diverse background to  easily express themselves.

The ADC described the action of the thugs that disrupted the event as utterly disgraceful, disturbing, and a serious threat to the peace and stability of the country’s desire to create a new Nigeria that is POssible ,and is willing to do it with all well-meaning Nigerians” Chukwuka stated .