In a rare public statement, Oseloka Obi, the son of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, has refuted ongoing online rumors about his personal life, describing them as “misrepresentations” and “fiction spun from pictures.”
The actor and filmmaker urged Nigerians to shift their attention from idle gossip to the nation’s critical issues, including insecurity, economic hardship, and corruption.
The letter, addressed to “Dear Nigerians” and signed by Oseloka, marks his first direct response to speculations that have resurfaced in recent days. It emphasizes his reluctance to engage with online vitriol, stating, “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.” He added that he did not partake in such behavior as a child and will not start now as an adult.
Oseloka attributed the heightened scrutiny to his father’s political career, noting a “persistent curiosity—and, at times, malicious obsession—with me” since Peter Obi’s involvement in Nigerian politics. He criticized the spread of gossip as “flawed and childish calculations” that reveal more about the pettiness of those disseminating them than about himself or his father.
The controversy stems from viral photos circulating on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), which some users claim depict Oseloka in intimate settings with a British-Nigerian queer screenwriter, Kent Okwesa.c2e8d7 These images have sparked mixed reactions, with some alleging they confirm rumors about Oseloka’s sexuality, while others dismiss them as baseless smears.14fc52 Peter Obi has previously rejected similar claims, with his media aide, Valentine Obienyem, calling one set of photos “fake” and unrelated to his son.f10fb0
In his statement, Oseloka clarified that the photos are “neither hidden nor secret” but have been repackaged with false stories. “They are not ‘exposés.’ They are simply misrepresentations; fiction spun from pictures,” he wrote. He expressed frustration at the repeated circulation of such content, saying it is “deeply unsettling” but affirmed his commitment to clarity: “What is being circulated is gossip.”
As an actor by profession, Oseloka highlighted his career in theater and filmmaking, an industry he described as embracing “diversity of class, race, sexuality, and identity.” He contrasted this with assumptions about his father’s path as a businessman, entrepreneur, and economist, noting that he was not raised on nepotism or inherited wealth. “Unlike many children of Nigerian politicians, I have never relied on nepotism. I was raised to know that my father’s wealth is not mine, and that I must build my own life,” he explained. Oseloka portrayed characters “vastly different” from himself but lamented that some online users conflate his roles with reality, presenting fiction as fact.
The letter also touched on broader societal issues, arguing that Nigeria faces “far greater issues than idle speculation about what Peter Obi’s son is doing.” He listed challenges such as a weakened economy, crumbling infrastructure, failing healthcare, and politicians “who steal from the people they swore to serve.” Oseloka called the focus on personal rumors a “distraction from the real crises that matter to all Nigerians.”
He concluded with a plea to those spreading the stories: “Stop pulling attention away from Nigeria’s urgent problems.” Affirming his support for his father, he stated, “My father has my vote, not because he is my father, but because he is the right man for the job.” The statement ended on an optimistic note: “But we will go high, and we will continue to focus on the future of Nigeria. With love, Oseloka.”
Reactions to Oseloka’s letter have been polarized. Supporters of Peter Obi, often referred to as “Obidients,” praised it as a classy and heartfelt response.209377 One X user described it as “straight from the heart,” urging focus on national progress rather than distractions.ca856c Critics, however, continued to fuel the speculation, with some northern voices rejecting Peter Obi’s potential 2027 presidential bid over the alleged photos.89b86a Others accused detractors of hypocrisy, pointing out that similar personal attacks on politicians’ families are common but unhelpful.6e7460
This is not the first time rumors about Oseloka’s personal life have surfaced. Similar allegations emerged during the 2023 election campaign and earlier in 2024, often tied to his work in the UK film industry, where he has collaborated on projects supporting black queer communities.8de809 Oseloka, based in London, has maintained a low public profile, avoiding social media and focusing on his artistic career.
Peter Obi, who garnered significant youth support in the 2023 elections, has not yet commented directly on his son’s statement. His camp has consistently framed such controversies as attempts to tarnish his reputation ahead of potential future political runs.a5a3db
As Nigeria grapples with economic woes exacerbated by inflation and insecurity, Oseloka’s call to prioritize substantive issues over personal scandals resonates with calls for more mature political discourse. Whether this episode will impact Peter Obi’s political prospects remains to be seen, but it underscores the intense scrutiny faced by public figures and their families in the digital age.
