Peter Obi obstructing NAFDAC’s fight against fake drugs — Tinubu’s aide

Dada Olusegun, the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, has accused former presidential candidate Peter Obi of obstructing the enforcement actions of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) against fake drugs and beverages.

This came after Obi criticised NAFDAC for closing down some markets in Anambra State, where fake drugs and expired beverages were found in large quantities.

In a statement after visiting the markets, Obi lamented that they were “being shut down because of the actions of a few.”

While advocating for the protection of small-scale businesses, he said, “You do not cripple an Ogbo Ogwo market and surrounding markets for several days in the name of enforcement.”

Reacting, Olusegun said he had resisted the urge to dabble into the ongoing “populistic patronage of Mr. Peter Obi over the past few months” but had to speak up in cases where the lives and properties of millions of Nigerians were concerned.

He said every sane Nigerian must speak up, “else we are one step away from being exterminated due to the consumption of fake foods, drugs, and other items.”

Directing his words to Obi, he said, “You, of all people, must understand what the jurisdictions of NAFDAC are and that beyond drugs, they are in charge of ensuring everything we consume directly, including food items, beverages, water, etc., is vetted and deemed safe for consumption.

“When have you turned into a private investigator or an intelligence officer to conclude which sections of the Onitsha Bridge Head market are involved in unwholesome practices? Or are you more interested in protecting the livelihood of some traders—some of whom should be in jail for crimes against humanity—than protecting the lives and health of millions of Nigerians you aspire to lead as president one day?

“Nigerians would like to know why you rushed to Onitsha to obstruct NAFDAC from carrying out their legitimate work of combating illicit drugs and substandard and unhealthy foods.”

He said Obi’s actions could be seen by some as an attempt to shield fake drug dealers who have put the lives of millions of Nigerians at risk through their nefarious and conscienceless criminal activities.

“Dear Mr. Peter Obi, kindly search your conscience,” he concluded in his statement shared on X.