- Says: “We are increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime”
The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has raises alarm that his New Year message on the state of the nation under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu government has led to threats against his life and family.
In a series of tweets on Monday on his X handle, the former Anambra State Governor said he had received all sorts of messages including threats to his life and those around him.
Obi had in his New Year message insisted that Nigeria’s economic situation had worsened despite improvement claims by the Federal Government, restating that the country remains one of the poverty capitals in the world.
Obi also criticised and challenged President Tinubu to stop his frequent 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,” Obi had said.
However, Spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, who spoke during an interview on Arise Television, said Obi was crossing the line with his incessant criticisms of the ruling party and Tinubu’s government.
Tagging Obi a prophet of doom, Morka said: “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and has It coming to him whatever he gets.
“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.”
Reacting to Morka’s comments, Obi wondered if he had actually crossed the line, as he reshared the video of his New Year message and urged Nigerians to point out the boundary he overstepped.
“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: youtube.com/watch?v=waGknJ…
“If I have truly crossed the line, I invite anyone to point it out, as I remain committed to upholding decorum,” Obi said.
He, however, said he would not be silenced in his resolve to speak truthfully, especially as the nation continued to drift toward “undemocratic practices.”
He said: “We are increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime, where freedom of expression is being systematically suppressed.”