By Damilare Adeleye
Peter Obi, 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has raised alarm over ‘threats’ to his and that of his family members following his recent new year message to Nigerians.
Obi voiced out this concern in a statement posted on his verified Twitter account on Monday, January 6, 2025.
The former Governor of Anambra said he has received all numerous messages including threats to his life and that of those his associates over his recent new year speech.
Recall that in his New Year message, Obi maintained that Nigeria’s economic situation worsened despite improvement claims by the Federal Government, adding that the country remains one of the poverty capitals in the world.Citing the displacement of families in many parts of the country due to the activities of bandits and terrorists, the ex-governor described Nigeria as one of the most insecure and least peaceful countries in the world.
Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu, asking him to stop overseas trips and conduct his medical examinations in Nigeria.
“Mr President, out of the approximately 580 days you have been in office, it is reported that you have spent over 30%, or around 180 days, on more than 30 publicly recorded overseas trips,” he said.
Following the widespread of the speech, the spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, took a swipe at Peter Obi.
While speaking during an interview on Arise Television, Morka said Obi was crossing the line with his incessant criticisms of the ruling party and Tinubu’s government.“Peter Obi is really crossing the line, the campaigns are over, he needs to relax and allow his lawyers to handle his case at the tribunal, accusing the APC of attacking his personal life is ridiculous.
“Obi has been way too sanctimonious for someone who volunteered to venture into politics and run for the presidency,” Morka said.
Reacting in a statement on Monday, Obi wondered how he crossed the line, as he reshared the video of his New Year message and urged Nigerians to point out the boundary he overstepped.
He wrote: “Have I really crossed the line? I ask the question because my New Year message has now led to threats against my life, my family, and those around me. While I have received all sorts of messages, one Mr. Felix Morka has gone further to accuse me of “crossing the line” and has warned that I will face the consequences. I find it necessary to share this message again and urge everyone who has not seen it to watch it.
“If I have truly crossed the line, I invite anyone to point it out, as I remain committed to upholding decorum.”
He, however, maintained that the threats against his life would not deter him from speaking truthfully about Nigeria, adding that the country is “increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime, where freedom of expression is being systematically suppressed.”
