NDC says Peter Obi is in good health, blames exhaustion on campaign travel

The presidential campaign council of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has moved to reassure Nigerians about the health of its candidate, Peter Obi, saying he is in good health but worn out by a demanding travel schedule.

The council's deputy spokesperson, Sam Omale, said Obi had been advised to rest after weeks of moving between cities and attending several political events. He spoke on Channels Television's The Morning Brief on Tuesday.

Omale was responding to concerns raised after Obi's recent campaign rally in Enugu State, where the candidate reportedly indicated he planned to take a break.

"But he is in perfect health; nothing is wrong with him. It is just exhaustion, and we are trying to calm him down to take a sleep," Omale said.

He described Obi as deeply committed to the country, saying the former Anambra State governor often juggles engagements, questions and emails at once. He gave an example of the pace: "Today, he is in London this night; the following morning, he is in Enugu."

Omale said the tiredness would not slow the campaign. According to him, Obi will continue with town hall meetings before the main rallies begin.

Party officials give different accounts

Not everyone in the party is telling the same story. The NDC's national publicity secretary, Osa Director, said he was not aware of any exhaustion episode involving Obi.

Director said he had spent a day with Obi in Bayelsa State and understood the candidate later travelled abroad, with some people seeing him off at the airport. He said he did not know where the report of exhaustion came from and that Omale was better placed to explain it.

He also said the national campaign council had not asked Obi to cut down his activities, and that he knew of no development that would require such a step.

The differing accounts leave one clear point: the party insists Obi is fit to continue. The campaign has not said when the rest period will end or how long the town hall phase will last.

For ordinary Nigerians, the health of a presidential candidate matters because it speaks to stamina for the months of campaigning and, if elected, the pressure of the office. The NDC's message to supporters is that nothing has changed in its plans.

What happens next

Obi is expected to keep holding town hall meetings before the main rallies start, according to the campaign council. The party has not announced a date for the next round of rallies.