- Hold Nigerian Govt Responsible If Anything Happens To Him- Obidient Movement
The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has raised an alarm that his life is under threat following his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in his New Year’s address.
This is even as the Obidient Movement, an appellation for the followers and supporters of the former Anambra State governor has warned that the Nigerian government should be held responsible if anything happens to him.
Trouble started when in his New Year press conference on Thursday, January 2, 2025 Obi lamented the political, economic and security, healthcare situation in the country.
He posited that the political, economic and security situation of Nigeria is worsening daily, despite government’s contrary positions and claims of improvement in different spheres of human endeavour.
Not impressed by the Press Conference, the national spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, in a recent interview was quoted to have said that “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and has it coming to him whatever he gets”.
Reacting to Morka’s statement in a post on his X handle on Monday, Obi asked if he has “really crossed the line” after receiving threats against his life, family, and associates following his New Year’s message.
He challenged anyone who thinks he has crossed the line to point it out to him where he did, expressing his commitment to upholding decorum.
The former governor also vowed not to be silenced in his resolve to speak truthfully, especially as the country “drift toward undemocratic practices.”
His post reads, “I ask the question because 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.
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“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.
“We are increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime, where freedom of expression is being systematically suppressed. May God help us create a better and freer society for the sake of our children.”
Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement also raised concerns about Morka’s comments.
The Obidient Movement, in a statement signed by Dr Yunusa Tanko, said it considered this a direct threat to Obi’s life and the peace of the Nigerian state.
The Obidient Movement said it views the statement as not only an attack on the vocal 2023 LP presidential candidate but also a dangerous signal of the country’s descent into authoritarianism under Tinubu’s administration.
“Such a declaration from the spokesperson of the ruling party is reckless, unbecoming, and a blatant endorsement of violence,” the statement added.
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In the statement on Monday, the Obidient Movement demanded to know the line crossed by Peter Obi and who drew the line.
Obidient also said they want to know under what authority the line was drawn and the specific statements or actions of Obi that justify the statement coming from the ruling party.
The movement demanded to know, “What exactly is coming to Peter Obi?”
It accused the Tinubu administration of choosing repression over dialogue, intimidation over engagement, and threats over democratic discourse.
“We categorically state that if any harm befalls Mr Peter Obi, his family, or anyone associated with him, the Nigerian government and its agents will be held directly responsible,” the statement said.
It also called on Nigerians and the international community to take note of the pattern the ruling party has allegedly adopted and hold those in power accountable.
“We urge the security services to not sweep such threats under the carpet as they have done in previous times but engage Mr Morka to elucidate on his utterance.”
