A bitter war of words has erupted between Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, as APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje strongly refuted allegations of death threats against the former presidential candidate. The controversy stems from recent comments made by APC spokesman Felix Morka that Obi claimed endangered his life and family’s safety.
Ganduje dismissed Obi’s claims as “sheer mischief” and “a malicious lie aimed at seeking attention and playing the victim for emotional blackmail.” The APC chairman’s forceful response comes amid escalating tensions between the ruling party and the opposition figure, who continues to challenge various government policies.
The dispute centers on Morka’s response to questions about what were termed “prophets of doom” and “voodoo economics” during a recent interview. According to Ganduje, these comments have been deliberately misinterpreted by Obi to incite his supporters, resulting in death threats against Morka and his family.
Ganduje emphasized that public figures like Obi bear a responsibility to provide accurate information rather than inflammatory rhetoric. He defended Morka’s comments as legitimate political discourse, arguing that the APC spokesman was simply fulfilling his role in responding to opposition criticism of the government.
The APC chairman posed a pointed question: “Does Mr. Obi expect the APC to fold its arms and allow the opposition to propagate falsehoods without any response?” This challenge underscores the ruling party’s stance that robust political debate should not be misconstrued as personal threats.
The controversy has highlighted growing tensions in Nigeria’s political landscape, where social media and public statements increasingly become flashpoints for heated exchanges between government and opposition figures. Ganduje’s statement suggests the APC will maintain its assertive approach to countering opposition claims about President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The ruling party’s leadership has pledged continued support for Morka in his role of defending government policies and challenging what they view as disinformation from opposition politicians. This stance indicates that despite Obi’s allegations, the APC intends to maintain its aggressive communication strategy.
This latest clash between the APC and Obi reflects broader tensions in Nigerian politics, where the line between legitimate political criticism and personal attacks often becomes blurred. The incident has raised questions about the nature of political discourse in Nigeria and the responsibilities of both government and opposition figures in maintaining civil debate.
The controversy adds another chapter to the ongoing political narrative following the 2023 elections, with opposition figures like Obi continuing to challenge the government’s policies and communications while the ruling party maintains a defensive stance against what it considers unfair criticism.
As this political drama unfolds, it underscores the challenges facing Nigeria’s democracy in maintaining constructive dialogue between government and opposition while addressing substantive policy issues affecting the nation’s development.
