Kehinde Fajobi
Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denied accusations by Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate in the last election, claiming he threatened him over a New Year message to President Bola Tinubu.
Obi had tweeted that his message had led to threats against him and his family.
“My New Year Message has now led to threats to 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 consequences,” Obi wrote.
The allegation sparked reactions, with Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusing the ruling party of suppressing opposition voices.
The Labour Party also urged President Tinubu to call Morka to account, requesting a probe into the matter.
However, Morka issued a statement on Tuesday, clarifying that Obi’s claim misrepresented his words.
He explained that the accusation stemmed from his response to a question during an interview on Arise TV’s THIS WEEK programme on January 4, 2025.
“To be clear and for the record, Morka did not threaten Mr Obi or his family or those around him or anyone. Morka has absolutely no reason to, and has never, threatened Obi or anyone”, the APC spokesman said.
He further explained that his statement, “I am not somebody to go on the offensive in that manner, but Mr. Obi has crossed the line so many times and I think that at this point he has coming to him, whatever he gets, he needs to manage it,” was not a threat but a response to a question about Obi’s comments on “prophet of doom” and “voodoo economics.”
Morka also asserted that while free speech is a right for all Nigerians, it does not extend to spreading misinformation.
He emphasised, “Mr. Obi cannot disseminate misinformation and demand or expect that no one should disagree or challenge his false narrative.”
The APC spokesperson also accused Obi of leading a group of online followers who intimidate, bully, and issue threats to anyone who disagrees with him.
“Many eminent and highly respected elder statesmen have been serially attacked, humiliated and bullied by Obi’s online followers. Obi has never condemned their conduct or called them to order.”
Morka concluded by stating that Obi’s approach to politics, which includes casting criticism and attacking political opponents, undermines democratic discourse.
“Mr. Obi must think himself to be Nigeria’s sacred cow, the super citizen, quintessential, without blemish, beyond reproach, always right, never wrong,” he said.
“Mr. Obi is not entitled to any monolithic or exclusive constitutional or extraterrestrial liberty over and above any other citizen.”