You Lied, Morka Did Not Threaten Your Life -APC Replies Obi

You Lied, Morka Did Not Threaten Your Life -APC Replies Obi

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted allegations made by Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, claiming that Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, threatened his life.

In a statement signed by Morka on Tuesday, the APC labeled Obi’s accusations as “malicious lies” and examples of “playing-the-victim” for political gain.

Obi had taken to his verified X handle, expressing concern for his safety after a comment made by Morka during an AriseTV interview aired on January 4, 2025.

Obi remarked, “My New Year message has now led to threats to my life, my family, and those around me,” specifically referencing comments Morka made during the program.

However, the APC has strongly defended Morka, asserting that he did not threaten Obi or anyone else. “Morka has absolutely no reason to, and has never, threatened Obi or anyone,” the statement read. In light of the controversy, Morka’s actual words during the interview were cited for clarity.

In response to AriseTV’s question about Obi’s critical comments, Morka stated, “He is not being rational, he is absolutely irrational in his thinking and in his commentary for a man who was Governor for eight years and left nothing to remember in Anambra State by way of legacy or transformation. But all of a sudden, he had served as Governor for eight years, he didn’t have the wisdom or the smartness to change Anambra State; to make Anambra the beacon, the example of governance in the country.

“But then he runs for President in 2023, and now that he didn’t win, he is sulking. Rather than get a perspective of what he did to lose so he can get better in future, he thinks that he can bring down the government by being maliciously deceptive.

“That is wrong. I’m not someone 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 should manage it.”

The APC insists these remarks were made in a political context, responding to Obi’s previous statements rather than representing any form of threat. “Nothing in that sentence constitutes or suggests a threat to Obi or anyone else,” the APC maintained.

The party also argued that freedom of speech should encompass differing political opinions, stating, “The right to free speech granted by our country’s Constitution is not Mr. Obi’s exclusive right.” They called for accountability and truthfulness in political discourse.

The APC further accused Obi of failing to recognize progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration while continuing to criticize the very policies he had previously promised to implement himself. “Obi has continued to lambast and incite Nigerians against the Tinubu administration for doing exactly what he promised he would do if he was elected,” the APC noted, emphasizing the contradictions in Obi’s rhetoric.

The ruling party therefore called Obi to withdraw his allegations against Morka and to manage the actions of his online supporters, who the APC claims have issued threats against Morka’s life.

“By falsely claiming that Morka threatened his life, Mr. Obi has libeled Morka in the extreme, and has incited his online mob to make death threats against Morka and members of his family. That is unacceptable.  As a public figure, Mr. Obi bears a responsibility to provide accurate and truthful information. Instead, he has chosen to peddle falsehood and mislead Nigerians in quest for political currency and relevance.

“We call on Mr. Obi to immediately set the record straight, withdraw his false allegation against Morka, and call his online supporters to order. Morka, stands ready to explore all available recourse mechanisms in valiant defence of his decency and impeccable reputation,” APC insisted.