Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed concern for his safety and that of his family, claiming that they have been targeted with threats since the release of his New Year statement. The statement, which analyzed the current state of affairs in Nigeria, has sparked controversy and led to what Obi described as alarming consequences.
In a post on his X handle on Monday, Obi questioned whether his recent actions had crossed a line. “Have I really crossed the line?” he wrote, revealing that his New Year message had triggered threats against his life and family. Obi highlighted one particular threat from Mr. Felix Morka, who accused him of crossing boundaries and warned of dire consequences. Obi shared the threat, urging anyone who believed he had crossed a line to point it out, emphasizing his commitment to uphold decorum while speaking truthfully about Nigeria’s political climate.
Obi stressed his ongoing commitment to speaking out against what he perceives as an increasingly authoritarian regime, noting the systematic suppression of freedom of expression. “We are increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime, where freedom of expression is being systematically suppressed,” he stated, calling for a better and freer society for future generations.
In his New Year address, Obi criticized the administration of President Bola Tinubu, arguing that it had failed to adequately address the country’s worsening economic, political, and security challenges. He demanded “vigorous, positive actions” from the government to offer relief to Nigerians, many of whom, he said, were losing hope. Obi’s statement focused on the declining national situation, citing troubling statistics, including Nigeria’s position as one of the world’s poverty capitals and the shrinking size of its economy.
Obi, who served as the governor of Anambra State, pointed out that Nigeria’s GDP had fallen significantly in the past decade, dropping from the largest economy in Africa to the fourth-largest. He also highlighted the nation’s worsening security situation, which has led to displacement and the rise of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
In response, the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, dismissed Obi’s claims. Morka defended President Tinubu’s administration, asserting that the economy had made steady progress under his leadership, citing improvements in foreign direct investment, foreign reserves, and the reduction in the debt servicing ratio, among other factors.
The exchange between Obi and the APC underscores the ongoing political tensions in the country, with both sides fiercely defending their positions as Nigeria faces significant challenges.
