By Adeleye Kunle
Valentine Obienyem, a media aide to Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, has responded to claims that his principal is a member of the Pyrates Confraternity.
Obienyem stated in his response that Obi is not a member of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as the Pyrates Confraternity.
The clarification came after a user named Fejiro Oliver claimed on Facebook that the former Governor of Anambra State is a member of the group.
Though the post has since been removed, Oliver wrote it in response to a viral video of the confraternity mocking the health of All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
Members of the Pyrates Confraternity sang in the viral video, “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 yells, “It’s my turn!”
“Emi lo kan (2 times), Baba wey no well, him dey shout emi lokan (2 times), Baba wey no well, him dey shout emi lokan (2 times), a sick old man is shouting ‘it’s my turn.”
Oliver claimed in his post that Obi is a “dedicated Pyrate who has led by the tenets with which we were baptized.”
“I have watched the trending video of the revered and globally 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,” he also wrote in the post.
“While it is customary for the fraternity to use songs to send messages to society, condemning or supporting individuals, governments, or policies, I find this particular song in poor taste, especially given how an uninformed member posted it on social media.”
“Yes, Peter Obi is one of us, a dedicated Pyrate who has led by the principles with which we were baptized.” During his tenure as Governor, he has always promoted Pyracy’s ideals and contributed to the fraternity as a whole.
“It is proper that we support one of our own, Namadi Sambo, to ascend to the number one position in Nigeria.” We know that with Peter Obi as President, the just society we seek will be realized, and the ills that impede such a society will be reduced.
“While it is in our hearts to support one of our best candidates for President, it is inappropriate to do so publicly.”
“We have many time-tested seadogs in the PDP and APC, men in very high places and the best where they are.”
“We cannot publicly condemn these men who have supported Tinubu their entire lives and will die for Atiku Abubakar to be elected President for Peter Obi.”
“Peter Obi is superior, but moderation is also essential.”
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,” a media aide was quoted as saying in a text message in response to questions about the situation.
This article first appeared on Track News.
