Supporters of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate for the Labour Party, have been at odds with the All Progressives Congress (APC) over a purported threat to Obi’s life. In an interview with Arise Television, Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary for the APC, accused Obi of inciting Nigerians against President Bola Tinubu’s administration and threatened to hold Obi accountable for his activities. This sparked the conflict. Morka called Obi irrational and resentful for losing the 2023 presidential race, and he chastised him for his alleged “malicious and deceptive” remarks.
Yunusa Tanko, the Obidient Movement’s National Coordinator, responded by denouncing Morka’s remarks as threatening and cautioning that any injury to Obi might spark strong reactions. Tanko urged Security authorities to look into Morka’s statements and underlined that Obi had a fundamental right to criticise the administration. The problem was also addressed by Peter Obi, who claimed on his X (formerly Twitter) account that his New Year’s message had been misunderstood and resulted in threats against him and his family.
Peter Obi presented a sobering assessment of Nigeria’s current situation.
He reiterated his commitment to speaking truth to power and denounced the government’s increasing authoritarian tendencies. Bala Ibrahim, the APC’s national publicity director, denied claims of threats and advised Obi and his followers to refrain from using divisive language and to engage in Politics without resentment. Muyiwa Adejobi, a spokesman for the Nigerian police, denied knowledge of any formal allegations or threats related to the situation. The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, presented a sobering assessment of Nigeria’s current situation in his New Year’s speech.
The deteriorating political, economic, and security circumstances were mentioned. Nigeria’s GDP dropped from $574 billion in 2014 to just $200 billion, he noted, and more than 100 million people live in abject poverty. Obi criticised President Bola Tinubu’s government, calling for drastic changes and fearless leadership to overcome these issues. Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary for the All Progressives Congress (APC), responded by accusing Obi of deceiving Nigerians in order to benefit politically.
“I will not be silenced in my resolve to speak truthfully.”-Obi
Morka argued that Tinubu’s leadership has brought about notable economic advancements in Nigeria, including Trade surpluses, a rise in foreign investments, and improved foreign reserves, in contrast to Obi’s assertions. He called Obi’s comments divisive and warned him against provoking unhappiness among the populace. Obi claimed to have received threats on his life and family as a result of these conversations, which he ascribed to his New Year’s message. In response to the nation’s trend towards authoritarianism and the repression of free expression, he declared, “I will not be silenced in my resolve to speak truthfully.”
Legal professionals have provided their opinions on the matter. While political discourse might be intense, senior counsel Barrister Chijioke Okoli pointed out that any remarks interpreted as threats should be carefully considered and looked into in order to protect the rule of law. He underlined that while the right to free speech is guaranteed by the constitution, it must be used sensibly. Yunusa Tanko, the national coordinator for the Obidient Movement, responded to the claimed threats by urging security services to look into Morka’s remarks and cautioning that any harm to Obi might cause widespread public discontent. He said: “If they make the move (to arrest Obi), it will boomerang on their government.”
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There is currently no official documentation showing that Obi or his backers have informed law enforcement of these threats. According to Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, no formal complaint had been filed because he was not aware of any such reports. This circumstance emphasises the necessity of positive political dialogue in Nigeria. Rather than using harsh rhetoric or personal assaults, public engagement should centre on policy discussions and nation-building. Promoting political maturity and accountability in the nation requires upholding democratic values, valuing differing viewpoints, and promoting free discourse.