The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections Peter Obi, has raised alarm over threats to his life following his recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in his New Year address. Obi’s allegations come in response to remarks by Felix Morka, the national spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC), who suggested that Obi had “crossed the line” and would face the consequences of his actions.
In his New Year press conference on Thursday, Obi expressed grave concerns about the worsening political, economic, and security situation in Nigeria. He lamented that despite the government’s assertions of progress, the nation’s challenges were deepening. According to Obi, Nigeria’s economic and social indicators reflect a country in decline, with the number of people living in poverty continuing to rise.
Obi highlighted that Nigeria remains one of the world’s poverty capitals, with over 100 million people living in extreme poverty and more than 150 million experiencing multidimensional poverty. He also noted a sharp economic regression under the current administration, with Nigeria’s GDP shrinking to less than half of its size a decade ago. The country, which once had the largest economy in Africa, now ranks fourth on the continent, according to Obi.
In response to Morka’s comments, Obi took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday to address the threat to his safety. He questioned whether he had truly “crossed the line” and urged anyone who believes he has done so to point out where. Obi stressed his commitment to speaking the truth and vowed not to be silenced despite the increasing political repression in the country.
“My New Year message has now led to threats against my life, my family, and those around me,” Obi wrote. “While I have received all sorts of messages, one Felix Morka has gone further to accuse me of ‘crossing the line’ and has warned that I will face the consequences. If I have truly crossed the line, I invite anyone to point it out, as I remain committed to upholding decorum.”
Obi expressed concern over Nigeria’s drift towards undemocratic practices, accusing the government of increasingly suppressing freedom of expression. He ended his post with a plea for a better and freer society for future generations: “We are increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime, where freedom of expression is being systematically suppressed. May God help us create a better and freer society for the sake of our children.”
