The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has dispelled rumours of his arrest, stating that he is currently at his residence in Onitsha, Anambra State.
He said this in series of tweets on his X handle on Wednesday, lamenting what he described as ‘The recurring fake News on me’.
This clarification comes amid allegations and counter-allegations of death threats between him and a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Felix Morka.
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“The recurring fake news about me: I have been made aware of circulating fake news about my alleged arrest. Let me state unequivocally that these claims are entirely false. I am currently at my home in Onitsha, Anambra State. Such fake news about me has become a pastime for some people,” he tweeted.
According to him, a similar rumour was amplified in 2024 when it was falsely claimed that he had been arrested by DSS officials.
“Last year, in September, when I was in Rwanda, similar lies were spread that the DSS invaded my house. Now, while I am in my home in Onitsha, Anambra State, they say I was arrested in Abuja. The motive of these peddlers cannot be positive, but let us not allow baseless rumours to distract us from the critical challenges we face as a nation,” he added.
The former Anambra State governor had claimed his life was under threat due to his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
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Meanwhile, Morka has clarified his controversial remark about Obi following the latter’s accusation that the APC chieftain’s comments about his New Year message attracted a barrage of negative responses, including death threats.
Speaking on The Morning Show, an Arise TV program, on Wednesday, Morka clarified that his comment was a direct response to a question about Obi being labelled a “voodoo economist” and “prophet of doom.”
The APC spokesman also challenged Obi to provide evidence of the alleged threats against his life and family.
The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has dismissed claims of threats to life by the Peter Obi as unfortunate and misleading.
Ganduje, in a statement in Abuja Wednesday night, described the claims as sheer mischief and outright falsehood, which would have been ignored but the need to refute such a baseless narrative.
The APC Chairman expressed displeasure over the claim shared on Obi’s verified official X handle, labeling it as a malicious lie aimed at seeking attention and playing the victim for emotional blackmail.
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Ganduje further stated that Obi’s accusations stem from a misrepresentation of remarks by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka during an interview on Arise TV on Saturday, January 4, 2025.
He stated that at no point did Morka threaten Obi or his family.
“By falsely claiming that Morka threatened his life, Mr. Obi has libeled Morka in the extreme and incited his online supporters to issue death threats against Morka and his family,” Ganduje said.
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He emphasised that as a public figure, the LP standard bearer has a responsibility to provide accurate and truthful information, adding that spreading falsehood undermines public trust.
He noted that Morka was simply discharging his duties as the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, holding opposition actors accountable for their statements, as is expected in a democratic setting.
“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 clarified.
The APC Chairman further underscored the importance of free speech, a right protected by Nigeria’s Constitution, which applies equally to all Nigerians, including members of the ruling party and therefore called on Obi to refrain from misinformation and to accept criticism as part of the democratic process.
“Does Mr. Obi expect the APC to fold its arms and allow the opposition to propagate falsehoods without any response?” Ganduje queried, stressing that the APC will continue to counter baseless allegations with facts against the Tinubu led government.
Ganduje stated that the party stands by the position of its National Publicity Secretary in his effort to defend the federal government and set the records straight against disinformation by desperate politicians.
Ganduje reiterated the APC’s commitment to upholding democratic principles while holding opposition actors accountable when necessary.
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