Obi cries out, says he's received death threats over his New Year message

Labour Party (LP) leader and presidential candidate in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi, has cried out over what he called persistent threats to his life and those of family members over his New Year message on the state of the nation under Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s watch as president.

In a series of tweets on his verified X handle on Monday – yesterday, January 6 – Obi said he had received all sorts of messages, including threats to his life and to the lives of those around him.

In his New Year message, Obi had warned that Nigeria’s economy has worsened despite improvement claims by the federal government and that the country remains one of the world’s poverty capitals.

Obi also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s perceived frivolous lifestyle, asking him to stop 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 chided.

However, speaking during an interview on Arise Television, the spokesperson of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, warned that Obi was crossing the line with his incessant criticisms of the ruling party and Tinubu’s government.

“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,” Morka had said.

But, reacting to Morka’s comments, Obi simply re-shared the video of his New Year message and urged Nigerians to point out the boundary he overstepped, wondering how he had actually crossed the line.

“Have I really crossed the line?” Obi quipped. “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…,” stressed the former, first two-term Governor of Anambra State.

“If I have truly crossed the line, I invite anyone to point it out, as I remain committed to upholding decorum (in public commentaries),” Obi was quoted by Daily Trust as saying.

He, however, vowed not to allowed himself to be silenced by anyone or tendency in his resolve to speak truthfully, especially as the nation continues to drift towards undemocratic tendencies.

“We are increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime, where freedom of speech is being systematically suppressed,” Obi agonised.