Oseloka Obi, son of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, has broken his silence on recent viral photos and online speculation about his personal life, describing the rumors as “malicious falsehoods” driven by political motivations.
In a detailed public statement released Thursday night, the actor addressed what he called persistent attempts to misrepresent ordinary photos of him with friends and colleagues into false narratives.
The statement comes after photos of Oseloka with London-based British-Nigerian actor Kent Okwesa circulated widely on social media this week, sparking speculation and criticism aimed at both him and his father.
“I have refrained from engaging with the vitriol, scorn, and suspicion directed at me online because I was not raised to trade in lies or to indulge in false narratives,” Oseloka wrote in his open letter to Nigerians.
The 32-year-old actor explained that his father’s prominence in Nigerian politics has subjected him to “persistent curiosity — and, at times, malicious obsession” despite having no social media presence and no political aspirations himself.
Oseloka, who works in theatre and filmmaking, emphasized that his profession naturally brings him into contact with people from diverse backgrounds and identities. He criticized those who attempt to twist his professional relationships and friendships into scandalous stories.
“I portray characters vastly different from myself, yet some online use these roles against me and my father, presenting fiction as fact,” he stated. “I trust any rational person can see how absurd this is.”
The actor stressed that unlike many children of Nigerian politicians, he has never relied on nepotism and was raised to build his own path independently.
In his statement, Oseloka defended his father’s integrity while acknowledging that neither he nor Peter Obi are “perfect men.” He described the former Anambra State governor as having a “relentless desire to lead Nigeria out of its current hardships.”
“My father has my vote, not because he is my father, but because he is the right man for the job,” Oseloka wrote. “Others wish to go low, invent scandals, or attack me to wound him, they are free to do so.”
The statement concluded with an appeal for Nigerians to focus on the country’s pressing problems rather than manufactured scandals about politicians’ family members.
“Nigeria has far greater issues than idle speculation about what Peter Obi’s son is doing,” he wrote. “So, to those who attempt to distract us with lies: I beg you, stop pulling attention away from Niger
ia’s urgent problems.”
