A media aide to the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, Valentine Obienyem has reacted to a claim that the former Governor is a member of the Pirates Confraternity.
Obienyem in his reaction stated that Obi is not a member of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), better known as the Pyrates Confraternity.
The clarification followed a claim on Facebook by a user identified as Fejiro Oliver suggesting the former Governor of Anambra State is a member of the group.
Though the post has now been deleted, Oliver had written it in his reaction after a viral video of the confraternity mocking the health status of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
In the viral video, the members of the Pyrates Confraternity sang, “Hand dey shake, leg dey shake, Baba wey no well, e de shout emi lo kan (Hands are shaking, legs are shaking. A sick old man is shouting ‘it’s my turn’).
“Emi lo kan (2ce), Baba wey no well, him dey shout emi lokan (It’s my turn (2ce), a sick old man is shouting ‘it’s my turn”.
Oliver in his post had claimed Obi is a “dedicated Pyrate who has led by the tenets we were baptised with.”
He also wrote: “I have watched the trending video of the revered and worldwide adored Pyrates Confraternity video, a beloved Association that I’m proud to belong to, where they ruled out Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a candidate in our ongoing convention taking place in Lagos State,” the post had read.
“As customary with the fraternity to use songs to pass messages to society, towards condemning or supporting individuals, government or policies, I find this particular song in bad taste, especially with the way an uninformed member posted it on social media.
“Yes, Peter Obi is one of us, a dedicated Pyrate who has led by the tenets we were baptised with. He has always promoted the ideals of Pyracy during his days as a Governor and has contributed to the frat as a whole.
It is proper we support one of our own to ascend the number position in Nigeria after getting the number two in Namadi Sambo. We do know that with Peter Obi as President, the just society that we want will be achieved and the ills militating against a just society that we fight will be reduced.
“While it is in our inner consciousness to gyrate towards one of our very best to be President, it is improper to promote it publicly.
“In PDP and APC do we have many men who are time tested seadogs, men in very high places and the best where they are.
“We cannot publicly disown these men who support Tinubu their whole life or will die for Atiku Abubakar to emerge as President for Peter Obi.
“Peter Obi is better but moderation is also everything.”
But reacting to claims that Obi is a member of the Pyrates, Obienyem was quoted by The Cable to have denied such.
“Not at all,” the media aide was quoted to a said in a text message in response to enquiries about the matter.
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