Peter Obi, the presidential candidate from the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, has claimed that his life is under threat after he criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration during his New Year address.
Obi’s concerns come in response to remarks made by Felix Morka, the national spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC), who stated in a recent interview that “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and he deserves whatever comes to him.”
During a press conference on New Year’s Day, Obi expressed his distress over Nigeria’s deteriorating political, economic, security, and healthcare conditions.
The former governor of Anambra State stated that the situation in Nigeria is increasingly grim, contradicting the government’s claims of progress in various areas. “Our national challenges are evidently worsening. The circumstances of our nation are in clear decline, as reflected by troubling indicators,” Obi asserted.
He highlighted that Nigeria continues to be one of the world’s poverty hotspots, with over 100 million people living in extreme poverty and more than 150 million experiencing multidimensional poverty, a situation that has worsened significantly in the past 18 months under the current government.
Obi also pointed out that Nigeria has fallen from being Africa’s largest economy, with a GDP of $574 billion and a per capita income exceeding $3,500 in 2014, to now ranking fourth on the continent. Currently, the GDP is less than half of what it was a decade ago, estimated at around $200 billion, with a per capita income of just under $1,000.
In response to Morka’s comments on social media, Obi questioned whether he had “really crossed the line,” especially in light of threats directed at him, his family, and his associates after his New Year’s message. He challenged anyone who believes he has overstepped to clarify their stance while emphasizing his dedication to maintaining decorum.
The former governor made it clear that he would not be silenced in his commitment to speaking the truth amid the country’s shift toward undemocratic practices. He expressed concern over the growing authoritarianism and repression of free expression in Nigeria, pleading for a better and freer society for future generations.
