Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, or APC, has charged Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, with libel and encouraging his supporters to threaten APC spokesman Felix Morka with death.
In a recent interview, Ganduje accused Obi of lying when he said that Morka had threatened him and his family.
After criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration on New Year’s Day, Obi claimed that Morka had threatened his life. He questioned whether he had “really crossed the line” following claims that Morka had threatened his life, his family, and his acquaintances.
Obi’s accusation came after Morka allegedly said, “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times, and he has what’s coming to him,” during an interview on Sunday. He should be able to handle anything comes his way.
Morka responded by claiming that Obi had misquoted him and emphasized that he had never threatened Obi’s life. He urged the former governor of Anambra State to correct the record.
Ganduje, however, called Obi’s assertions regrettable and deceptive.
The APC Chairman said in a statement he personally signed that Obi’s allegations were blatant lies and mischief that would have gone unnoticed if it weren’t necessary to disprove such a ludicrous story.
“Mr. Obi has libeled Morka to the extreme and encouraged his online supporters to issue death threats against Morka and his family by falsely claiming that Morka threatened his life,” according to Ganduje.
He emphasized that it was Obi’s duty as a public figure to give correct and truthful information, adding that disseminating lies erodes public confidence.
The APC National Chairman emphasized that Morka was only doing his responsibilities as the party’s National Publicity Secretary, which include holding opposition figures responsible for their remarks as is customary in a democracy.
He went on to say: “Morka’s comments during the interview were strictly in response to a question referencing ‘prophets of doom’ and ‘voodoo economics.’ Nothing in his statement constituted or suggested a threat to Obi or anyone else.”
Ganduje also emphasized the value of free expression, a “right protected by Nigeria’s Constitution” that is equally applicable to all Nigerians, including those who belong to the ruling party.
He urged Obi to avoid spreading false information and to embrace criticism as a necessary component of democracy.
“Does Mr. Obi think the APC will stand by and let the opposition spread lies without doing anything?” Ganduje asked.
He cautioned that the APC will keep presenting facts about the Tinubu-led administration to refute unfounded accusations.
Ganduje reaffirmed the party’s dedication to maintaining democratic values while, where required, holding opposition figures responsible.
