Who Actually Threatened Who? Obidients Or The Tinubu Government?

Who actually threatened who? Obidients or the Tinubu Government?

This is the million naira question given the ongoing crossfire between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Obi, had in his New Year message published on social media stated as follows:

Dear beloved Nigerians, I welcome you into the New Year 2025 with a message of hope and encouragement knowing what we all are going through in this blessed land.

As I bring you my New Year message and state of the nation later, I urge us all to remain steadfast in our creator who will give us a new Nigeria that is Possible.

The terse message promptly attracted reactions, with members of the Obidients movement commending.

It is however being interpreted differently within the APC.

National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Felix Morka speaking on Arise Television, said Obi had crossed the line, stating:

“Mr Obi is shooting from the hip. He is not looking or taking an aim. He just shoots widely like the Wild Wild West movies we used to see back in the day.

“He is absolutely irrational in his thinking about a man who was governor for eight years and left nothing to remember in Anambra State by way of legacy.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi Backs Farotimi Over N30m Bail

READ ALSO: ‘Peter Obi Is Hunted By The Ghost He Created’

“Now that he didn’t win, he is sulking. Rather than get a perspective or figure out why he lost so he can do better in the future, he thinks he can bring down the government by simply being maliciously deceptive. That is wrong.

“I am not somebody to go on the offensive in that manner, but Mr Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times, and I think that at this point, he has come to him whatever he gets.”

That is fueling the question: Who Actually Threatened Who? Obidients Or The Tinubu Government?

On the other hand, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, speaking to Punch  had declared that the former’s reaction amounted to a threat:

“That is a threat. If they make the move (to arrest Obi), it will boomerang on their government. In a democratic setting, Obi did not in any way impugn anybody’s integrity, nor did he cross any line. We are not making any false allegations.

“But if they threaten anybody with some level of impunity, believe me, the Nigerian people will react negatively to them. They must learn to accept it. If they have a counter-allegation to the issues we are raising, they should be provided with facts.

“Obi only spoke to the issue that concerns every Nigerian, which he has a right to. So, what this simply means is that what we have been accusing them of, gagging, arresting and then maiming people to the level of intimidation and impunity, is what they are planning to administer on Nigerians starting from this January just because people have spoken against bad governance.”

He warned against any action likely to threaten the life of Obi or members of his family.

He also called on security agents not to allow the APC spokesman’s threat to slide without proper investigation.

“We stand firmly with Peter Obi and his vision for a just, equitable and prosperous Nigeria. We call on Nigerians to resist this slide into authoritarianism by continuing to demand accountability, justice and the protection of democratic values.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi Reacts To Killing of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar

READ ALSO: Latest Peter Obi Labour Party News, Updates On Nnamdi Kanu

“Finally, we urge the security services to not sweep such threats under the carpet as they had done in previous times but engage Mr Morka to elucidate on his utterance.

“Furthermore, the ruling party called to order their mouthpiece and members at large to desist from actions that could heat up the polity.

“In addition, the government of the day should foster an environment of noble ideas to shape our national discourse and not threats. They must be seen to be tolerant of criticism.

“The level of impunity and attack they put on the previous government of the PDP was worse than this and they are getting less of that criticism in their own government.

“So, criticising them is a way of uplifting the standards of our democracy. We Nigerians have the right as covered under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to speak to issues.”

Reacting via his official X handle, Obi wondered how a harmless New Year message he gave could elicit a threat from the APC spokesman.

“Have I really crossed the line? 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.

READ ALSO: Why Simon Ekpa Wants Nnamdi Kanu Indefinitely Detained – Ohanaeze

“I find it necessary to share this message again and urge everyone who has not seen it to watch. 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,” he stated.

With the cross fires, even with more likely to follow, the germane question, remains: Who Actually Threatened Who? Obidients Or The Tinubu Government?