My Father is the Politician not Me, Nigerians Should Leave Me Alone – Oseloka Obi Clears the Air
Oseloka Obi, the only son of Labour Party’s Peter Obi, has clarified that he is not gay following pictures of he and another guy dressed as a lady circulating the internet.
Obi had shared photos of the guy who looked to be a transgender which he captioned; “Happy birthday to you princess…” a post which netizens highly criticized as many called him a gay.
However, in a statement, Obi has clarified that what he shared was just pictures with his colleague and it has nothing to do with sexuality.
He noted that he is an actor and while that may not be exactly what his father; 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would have wanted for him, he is not one to rely on his father’s wealth therefore, he is creating his.
Obi further stated that being an actor has opened his heart up to accepting people for who they are and not judge them which explains why he was comfortable taking pictures with his transgender colleague and posting on the internet.
He wanted Nigerians that while he has refrained from engaging with the vitriol, scorn, and suspicion directed at him online because he was not raised to trade in lies or to indulge in false narratives, he is not his father who is a politician and therefore should be allowed to live a peaceful life.
He said; “Because of my father’s involvement in Nigerian politics, there has been a persistent curiosity — and, at times, 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 perhaps it is time I address them.
“I understand that gossip follows those connected to public life. But let me remind you: my father is the one in politics, not me. To assume that my life or choices are somehow political statements is a flawed and childish calculation. It reveals more about the pettiness of those spreading such narratives than it does about me or my father.”
Obi further alleged that those who oppose his father in politics are always the first to seize ordinary photos of him; “images that are neither hidden nor secret — and repackage them with false stories. These are not revelations. They are not “exposés.” 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: what is being circulated is gossip,” he lamented.
He clarified; “I am an actor by profession. Many are surprised, given the businessman, entrepreneur, and 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 children 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 filmmaking, so far from the world he inhabits — an industry that 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 fact.”
Furthermore, Obi pointed out that Nigeria is battling a lot of challenges ad speculations about what Peter Obi’s son is doing should not be a priority.
He advised Nigerians to focus on fixing the country and let him live his life quietly.
He added; ” 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 healthcare, and politicians who steal from the people they swore to serve. And yet, for some, the priority is to spread gossip about who Peter Obi’s son appears with in a photo. This is a distraction from the real crises that matter to all Nigerians.
“The truth is simple: Peter Obi’s son appears in photos with his friends and colleagues, nothing more. If people wish to invent otherwise, I hope they sleep soundly knowing they are spreading lies.”
Obi added that his father and him are men of high integrity but are not perfect.
“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,” he said.
Having earlier alleged that Peter Obi’s oppositions were the ones who engineered the speculation, Obi advised them to stop pulling attention away from Nigeria’s urgent problems.
On the other hand, he declared support for his father stating; “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.”