By IKE ABONYI

Certain individuals are making a concerted effort to divert Peter Obi's focus by attempting to capture his attention. The increasing frustration of these individuals is palpable.

What exacerbates their predicament is that their attempts to engage Obi are proving futile; instead, these efforts only seem to deepen his concentration on critical national issues, thereby intensifying their frustration and leading to further missteps. This mirrors the wisdom of elders who advise against digging oneself deeper into a hole. Such is the situation for those agitated by Peter Obi's political influence.

The public discourse has been inundated with vitriolic pronouncements from paid agents, who evidently anticipate a reaction. However, this reaction will not materialise, which is a source of their vexation. Obi appears indifferent to their clamour because a person on a significant mission, possessing wisdom, would not permit themselves to be sidetracked by the noise of barking dogs. Peter Obi comprehends that a traveller does not reach their destination by pelting every barking dog encountered along the path. Since entering national politics, his trajectory has been guided by substantive issues, recognising that the political landscape in this region is often fraught with manufactured controversies designed to derail one's objectives. Consequently, those expecting Peter Obi to engage in such futile diversions will likely wait indefinitely. This is because Obi remains steadfastly committed to his mission and is acutely aware from the outset that certain distractions must be disregarded to achieve his goals. Obi is prepared to engage any Nigerian on substantive issues, which form the bedrock of his political approach, rather than participating in the clamorous and overcrowded arena of opportunistic political actors seeking undue recognition and financial gain.

In recent weeks, a coordinated onslaught of baseless accusations, misrepresentations, and fabricated controversies has been deliberately disseminated to target Mr Peter Obi. For observant individuals, the underlying motive of this sudden surge in political manoeuvring is evident: it is a classic distraction tactic. When those responsible for a nation's well-being face scrutiny for their governance failures, their customary response is to create a common adversary and instigate artificial crises.

It is imperative at this juncture to state unequivocally that Peter Obi is neither distracted nor appearing to be drawn into the mire of transactional politics. Nigeria is currently grappling with existential economic and security crises. Food inflation has reached unprecedented levels, millions are descending into poverty daily, and insecurity continues to imperil lives. While children and educators are abducted from schools, the government, rather than declaring an emergency, engages in ostentatious displays of distributing vehicles and funds to sycophants.

Mr Obi firmly believes it is a profound disservice to Nigerians to expend energy on petty political squabbles when citizens are struggling for survival. His focus lies in identifying solutions, not in engaging in verbal altercations.

The reason these outlandish allegations against Obi consistently fail to gain traction is their fundamental lack of truth. Throughout his public and private life, Peter Obi's guiding principles have been accountability, integrity, and the judicious management of public resources. No amount of orchestrated messaging can alter a history of integrity that Nigerians have witnessed firsthand.

While his detractors squander valuable time manufacturing controversies, Mr Obi's schedule remains filled with activities that are genuinely crucial for Nigeria's future. He consistently collaborates with experts on economic recovery, visits and supports educational and healthcare institutions nationwide, and advocates for fundamental governance reforms. He prioritises the discussion of ideas over personal attacks, as evidenced by his clear assertion: "Our focus is on Nigeria's structural flaws—not political soap operas. You cannot fix a broken nation by fighting imaginary enemies; you fix it by confronting hunger, insecurity, and institutional decay."

I implore the Nigerian youth, the media, and the general public to recognise these diversionary tactics and cease lending them any attention. It is crucial not to allow the narrative to be shifted. The discourse must remain centred on the escalating cost of living, the state of our economy, the safety of our communities, and the accountability of our leaders.

Peter Obi's commitment to the Nigerian people is rooted not in political expediency but in a shared aspiration for a feasible, productive, and secure new Nigeria. This vision remains entirely intact and deserves the support of all who desire an achievable, egalitarian Nigeria, requiring collective effort.

The reason 'barking dogs' are not capturing Obi's attention, much to their frustration, is precisely as outlined above. May Providence guide us.

• Ike Abonyi is Editor @Large based in Abuja.

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