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Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has denied allegations of inciting Nigerians with his New Year message, which he insisted was intended to address pressing national issues.
Obi said on Monday via X that he had received threats to his life and family following the message and described the accusations as part of a broader attempt to silence critical voices in the country.
“Have I really crossed the line? 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,” Obi wrote.
The Labour Party candidate’s New Year message, delivered during a press conference in Abuja titled “Nigeria Needs Selfless and Exemplary Leadership,” criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for failing to address worsening economic and security challenges.
Obi called for “vigorous, positive actions” to alleviate the suffering of Nigerians, adding that many citizens were losing hope.
Reacting to Obi’s comments, the All Progressives Congress, through its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, accused the former governor of Anambra State of hypocrisy and attempting to incite public outrage against the government.
In a statement, Morka described Obi’s remarks as “misleading” and aimed at scoring “cheap political points.”
He added, “It is a thing of irony that Obi, who now arrogates to himself to be omniscient and philosopher’s stone when it comes to our nation’s challenges, left no record of significant achievement, let alone transformation of any kind, in his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra State.”
Obi, however, stood by his New Year message, insisting that it was made in good faith and calling for constructive feedback.
“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,” he said.
