Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has revealed that his New Year message criticizing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu‘s government has led to life-threatening messages directed at him and his family. Obi shared his experience on Monday through a series of tweets on his X handle.
In his New Year message, Obi highlighted Nigeria’s deteriorating economic conditions, which, according to him, stand in stark contrast to the government’s claims of progress. He noted that Nigeria remains one of the world’s poorest nations, grappling with extreme poverty.
Obi also called out President Tinubu for spending over 30% of his time in office abroad on more than 30 recorded overseas trips, urging him to conduct his medical checkups within Nigeria. “Mr. President, you have spent over 30% of your time in office on more than 30 recorded overseas trips,” Obi remarked in his message.
In response, Felix Morka, the spokesperson for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accused Obi of crossing the line with his constant criticisms of the government. Morka suggested that Obi should let his lawyers handle the tribunal case rather than attacking the president’s personal life. “Obi has been too sanctimonious for someone who voluntarily entered politics and ran for the presidency,” Morka said during an interview on Arise Television.
Obi, however, defended his stance, questioning whether he had truly crossed any lines, especially after receiving threats against his life and family. He reshared the video of his New Year message and challenged Nigerians to point out any oversteps. “Have I truly crossed the line? I ask this because my message has led to threats against my life and loved ones. If I have, I invite anyone to clarify, as I remain committed to speaking the truth,” Obi stated.
He concluded by emphasizing his dedication to speaking out against what he perceives as the growing trend of “undemocratic practices” and an increasingly authoritarian regime. “We are witnessing a growing trend towards authoritarianism, with freedom of expression being systematically suppressed,” Obi said.
