Oseloka Obi, son of the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has firmly denied recent rumours suggesting that he is homosexual.
The speculation began after a set of photographs surfaced on social media this week, sparking online debates and drawing attacks from political rivals ahead of the 2027 presidential race.
The images, which quickly went viral, showed Oseloka in the company of another man alleged to be his romantic partner. The circulation of the pictures led to a flurry of insinuations, with critics attempting to weaponize the narrative to discredit Peter Obi’s credibility and political chances.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, Oseloka dismissed the allegations as baseless gossip and a deliberate attempt to drag his father’s name into controversy.
“These claims are nothing more than fiction spun from ordinary pictures,” he said. “I have chosen silence in the face of the vitriol and suspicion directed at me online because I was raised never to trade in lies or amplify falsehoods. What is happening is a pattern—individuals opposed to my father’s politics recycle old photos of me and twist them into fabricated scandals.”
Confirming the development, Valentine Obienyem, media aide to Peter Obi, also weighed in on Thursday night, describing the attacks as politically motivated smear tactics aimed at distracting the public.
Oseloka, who is based in the United Kingdom, is a trained actor and filmmaker. He explained that his profession often requires him to embody characters and roles that may not align with his personal identity. Unfortunately, he said, some detractors have seized on this aspect of his career to deliberately misrepresent him.
“My path is in theatre and film, an industry that thrives on diversity, creativity, and role-playing. To assume that every role I play is a reflection of my personal life is not only laughable but dishonest,” he emphasized. “Unlike many children of Nigerian politicians, I have not depended on nepotism to build my life. My work speaks for itself.”
The young creative also called on Nigerians to redirect their attention toward the country’s urgent challenges instead of indulging in what he termed as “manufactured scandals.”
“Our nation is battling insecurity, economic hardship, poor infrastructure, and a collapsing healthcare system. Yet, some prefer to waste energy debating who Peter Obi’s son appears with in a photograph. This says more about their priorities than mine,” Oseloka said.
While acknowledging that neither he nor his father is without flaws, he praised Peter Obi as “a man of integrity” and reiterated his belief that his father remains the right choice to lead Nigeria.
Peter Obi, who placed third in the 2023 presidential election, is widely believed to be preparing for another run in 2027. Political observers say the latest smear campaign reflects the growing intensity of the battle for 2027, with opponents eager to weaken his support base.
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