YES DADDY: Our audio clip verified and authentic, we're ready for Court summon - People's Gazette

By Dansu Peter 

The viral "yes daddy" audio clip is absolutely authentic, the People's Gazette, an online platform who published the trending conversation between the Labour Party Presidential candidate, MR. Peter Obi and the founder of Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo has insisted, saying they're ready to meet the LP flagbearer in court. 

In a statement on Wednesday night, The P'Gazette promptly said it was standing by its story and flayed Mr Obi’s attempt to intimidate its platform.

“Peoples Gazette stands unflinchingly by the audio recording of Peter Obi and David Oyedepo as published on April 1, 2023,” Deputy Managing Editor Boladale Adekoya said.

Mr Adekoya added that the audio clip was sourced and properly authenticated in advance of running it.

“The audio and the context surrounding it were properly sourced and authenticated in line with journalism best practices,” the editor said.

He further stressed that The Gazette was prepared to go to any length to protect the source of the clip, suggesting that Mr Obi initiated the lawsuit with the aim that the organisation would be compelled to reveal the source of the telephone conversation leak at trial.

“Finally, we maintain in no uncertain terms that we will uphold the principle of source protection to any length,” Mr Adekoya said.

The paper also claimed that Bishop Oyedepo, on his part, declined to comment after an enquiry, alongside the audio, was sent to him as requested.

"When Mr Oyedepo mounted the pulpit the next day after the story was published, he did not deny that the conversation with Mr Obi took place. Instead, he told his Sunday service audience that politicians of all parties regularly consulted him for advice on elections, which he gladly offered", the paper was quoted to have said. 

Mr Obi, 61, has led Labour since he resigned from the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party in May 2022. His candidacy has been deemed historic for its ability to garner a large following that propelled him into the spotlight within a few months of the campaign.

Following the declaration of Bola Tinubu as the president-elect by the electoral office INEC, Mr Obi rejected the polls’ outcome and proceeded to file a petition that argued that he should have been declared winner of the election instead.

Mr Obi’s petition has continued to infuriate the ruling All Progressives Congress, which has also made several allegations, including treasonable felony, against the politician.

As part of his response to The Gazette’s publication, Mr Obi said he would not leave Nigeria, notwithstanding the pressure on him by the ruling regime of Muhammadu Buhari.