Nigeria : Peter Obi Raises Alarm Over Threats Following New Year Message

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has alleged that his life, family, and associates are under threat following his New Year message.

Obi made this claim in a post shared on his Twitter handle on Tuesday, calling attention to what he described as a troubling turn of events.

In the post, Obi revealed that one Mr. Felix Morka had accused him of “crossing the line” with his message and warned of dire consequences. He expressed concern over these developments, questioning whether his actions had indeed warranted such responses.

“Have I really crossed the line? 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 revealed.

The Labour Party leader stood by his message, urging Nigerians to watch it and judge for themselves. He reiterated his commitment to decorum and truth-telling, particularly as he observes a worrying trend of rising authoritarianism in the country.

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

The former Anambra State governor maintained that he would not be silenced, even as he expressed hope for a better and freer society for the sake of future generations.

The message comes amid growing concerns over the shrinking space for free speech in Nigeria. Obi’s post has sparked reactions online, with supporters and critics weighing in on the implications of his statement.

Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, has remained vocal about issues of governance, often criticizing what he perceives as lapses in Nigeria’s democratic practices.