Obi Camp Hits Back at Tinubu’s Aide: Stop Shifting Attention, Focus on 37 Miners’ deaths

The Peter Obi Media Office has hit back at the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, accusing him of shifting attention to partisan politics while questions remain over the deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in Niger State.

In a statement on Monday signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr., the Obi camp described Alake’s criticism of Peter Obi’s record as Anambra State governor as “absurd” and urged the minister to focus on the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The 37 victims were among scores of people arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during operations against suspected illegal mining activities in the M.I. Wushishi and Lukoto areas of Niger State on September 15 and 16. They were subsequently found dead while in NSCDC custody.

The precise cause of death remains under investigation. The NSCDC initially cited a suspected disease outbreak, while reports have also raised questions about overcrowding and ventilation at the detention facility. Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago said 67 people had reportedly been held in the facility before 37 died.

The controversy followed comments by Alake, who, in his capacity as spokesman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, criticised Obi’s record as governor and questioned his suitability for the 2027 presidential race.

The Obi Media Office accused the minister of attempting to divert public attention from the Niger tragedy.

“Why engage in political exchanges when the nation is still demanding answers over the deaths of 37 Nigerians?” the office asked in substance, arguing that the minister should be concentrating on his responsibilities in the solid minerals sector.

It likened the minister’s intervention to “Nero, who fiddled while Rome burned,” arguing that the deaths should take precedence over political exchanges.

The Obi camp also demanded answers over the enforcement operation, including the circumstances surrounding the arrests, the safeguards put in place for detainees and where responsibility should lie if official failures are established.

However, the victims died in NSCDC custody rather than at a mining site. The NSCDC is under the Federal Ministry of Interior, although the arrests were connected to enforcement against suspected illegal mining, an area overseen by the Solid Minerals Ministry.

Alake has, however, taken steps in response to the incident. On September 18, he announced the deployment of a high-powered team from the Solid Minerals Ministry to Niger State to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths and establish the facts.

President Bola Tinubu also ordered a full and transparent investigation, while the Federal Government has suspended the Niger State NSCDC commandant and other officers pending the outcome of an independent probe.

Despite those measures, Obi’s media office maintained that Alake should devote his attention to strengthening regulation, safety and accountability within Nigeria’s mining sector rather than engaging in political exchanges over Obi’s record in Anambra.

“Nigerian youths deserve a solid minerals sector built on safety, regulation and sustainable development,” the statement said.

The latest exchange adds another layer to the growing political battle surrounding Obi’s record as Anambra governor as political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election intensifies.