Peter Obi raises alarm over threats to life

Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has voiced concerns about threats to his safety and that of his family

According to Obi, the threats emerged following his New Year statement, which critiqued Nigeria’s current state of affairs and called for urgent action.

In a post shared on his X account on Monday, Obi questioned whether he had crossed any boundaries with his remarks. “Have I really crossed the line?” he wrote, highlighting a specific threat from APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka, who accused him of overstepping and warned of serious repercussions.

Obi urged anyone who believed he had erred to point it out, emphasizing his commitment to truthful and respectful discourse about Nigeria’s challenges.

Obi condemned what he described as a growing suppression of freedom of expression in the country, warning of an increasingly authoritarian regime. He called for a freer and better society for future generations.

In his New Year address, Obi criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for failing to address Nigeria’s deepening economic, political, and security crises. He demanded “vigorous, positive actions” to restore hope to Nigerians, citing the nation’s status as one of the world’s poverty capitals and the decline of its GDP, which has dropped from being Africa’s largest economy to the fourth-largest over the last decade.

Obi also pointed to worsening insecurity, which has led to rising numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs). He called for immediate solutions to stem the nation’s challenges.

In response, Felix Morka defended the Tinubu administration, asserting that it had made steady progress in economic recovery. He cited improvements in foreign direct investment, foreign reserves, and a reduction in the debt servicing ratio as evidence of success.

The back-and-forth highlights the political tensions in Nigeria as leaders and their supporters continue to debate solutions to the nation’s pressing issues.

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.

If I have truly crossed the line, I invite anyone to point it out, as I remain committed to upholding decorum. However, I will not be silenced in my resolve to speak truthfully, especially as our nation continues to drift toward undemocratic practices.

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. -PO”

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