Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has dismissed claims by Peter Obi, Labour Party’s (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, that his life is under threat. Ganduje described Obi’s statement as a “malicious lie” aimed at seeking attention and playing the victim for emotional blackmail.

The APC chairman defended the party’s spokesperson, Felix Morka, whom Obi accused of issuing threats against him. Obi’s allegations followed Morka’s remarks criticizing his New Year message, which had condemned President Bola Tinubu’s administration for alleged corruption, mismanagement, poverty, and growing national debt.

In his response, Morka referred to Obi as a “prophet of doom” and said Obi “crossed the line so many times and has it coming to him whatever he gets.” On Monday, Obi raised alarm over threats to his life, asking Nigerians if his New Year comments had indeed “crossed the line.”

Ganduje, however, accused Obi of twisting Morka’s remarks to incite his supporters. “By falsely claiming that Morka threatened his life, Mr. Obi has libelled Morka in the extreme and incited his online supporters to issue death threats against Morka and his family,” Ganduje said in a statement.

He added that Morka’s comments during the interview were in response to questions about Obi’s criticism of the government and were not threats against the former Anambra governor.

“Nothing in his statement constituted or suggested a threat to Obi or anyone else. Does Mr. Obi expect the APC to fold its arms and allow the opposition to propagate falsehoods without any response?” Ganduje asked.

The APC chairman affirmed that the ruling party would continue to defend Tinubu’s administration against “disinformation by desperate politicians.”