The political arena is once again ignited as Felix Morka, National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), vehemently denied allegations by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, that Morka threatened his life.
In a public statement issued on Tuesday, Morka categorically refuted Obi’s claims, describing them as “self-evident malicious lies” designed to stoke political tension and garner sympathy.
According to him, “Mr. Obi’s claim is patently false and reprehensible. It is emotional blackmail, designed to malign my character and incite hostility against me and my family.”
Morka has called on Obi to retract his statements and issue a public apology, warning that he may explore legal avenues to defend his reputation.
Obi had alleged on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account that his New Year’s message had drawn life-threatening responses, particularly from Morka, whom he accused of warning him to “face consequences.”
The dispute stems from an interview Morka gave on Arise TV’s THIS WEEK program on January 4. Responding to questions about Obi’s recent criticisms of the government, Morka accused the Labour Party candidate of promoting “voodoo economics” and engaging in irrational commentary.
While Morka’s remarks were sharp, he insists they were strictly within the bounds of political discourse. “Nothing I said, directly or indirectly, constitutes a threat to Mr. Obi’s life, his family, or anyone else,” Morka stated, highlighting his response to Obi’s economic critiques:
“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 should manage it.”
Morka maintains that his comments referred to Obi’s perceived penchant for spreading misinformation, not a threat to his safety.
This latest clash reveals a larger tension between the APC and Obi’s supporters. Morka accused Obi of fostering a “restless band of online mobs” who intimidate and threaten anyone critical of him. He also criticized Obi for failing to rein in his followers, some of whom have allegedly issued death threats against APC members.
Furthermore, Morka challenged Obi’s political integrity, accusing him of flip-flopping on key policy issues. Citing instances where Obi criticized the Tinubu administration for implementing policies he had previously championed, Morka argued that Obi’s actions “cross the line of truth” and undermine the credibility of opposition politics.
For instance, Morka highlighted:
– Obi’s past promise to abolish fuel subsidies, a policy implemented by President Tinubu, which Obi now opposes.
– Obi’s advocacy for ending the dual foreign exchange rate system, which Tinubu achieved but has since been a target of Obi’s criticism.
“These are not the hallmarks of principled leadership,” Morka said. “Nigeria deserves an opposition that holds the government accountable with facts, not political opportunism.”
In accusing Morka of threatening his life, Obi’s statement has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters see it as a bold stand against political intimidation, while critics argue it’s a calculated attempt to play the victim and divert attention from his own controversies.
The post APC’s Morka accuses Peter Obi of ‘emotional blackmail’, threatens to sue over claims of threat to life appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.