Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
The recent back-and-forth between Peter Obi and Felix Morka has added a dramatic twist to Nigeria’s political scene, with both camps doubling down on their claims. Obi’s allegation that Morka’s comments have triggered death threats against him and his family has set the stage for a heated public exchange. But Morka, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, isn’t buying it—he’s challenging Obi to bring receipts.
Truth Live News gathered that saga began after Obi’s New Year message, which, like many of his statements, was critical of the APC-led government. Responding on Arise TV, Morka dismissed Obi as a “voodoo economist” and a “prophet of doom,” doubling down with a cryptic remark: “Whatever he has coming to him, he should manage it.” Obi interpreted this as more than just political banter, claiming it led to threats against his life and loved ones.
Morka, however, insists that his comments were taken out of context. Appearing again on Arise TV on January 8, 2025, Morka described Obi’s accusations as baseless. He framed his controversial statement as a simple rebuttal to Obi’s alleged falsehoods, asserting that the Labour Party flagbearer deserved the criticism he gets. “Peter Obi has crossed several lines of truth,” Morka said bluntly. “If he’s being called names, that’s on him.”
But Morka didn’t stop there. He mocked Obi for not providing evidence to back his claims, saying, “He who alleges must prove. If Peter Obi says anyone threatened him, he should supply some evidence. For a man of his standing, he can’t just make vague claims. If he’s truly being threatened, the law enforcement system should be involved, not morning show conversations.”
Morka’s sharp retort not only dismisses Obi’s claims but paints the former Anambra governor as a propagator of political drama, leveraging public sympathy. For many, it’s a political chess game: Obi, a symbol of opposition, versus the APC’s brash spokesperson, a loyal defender of the status quo.
While Obi’s camp has yet to provide the requested evidence, this saga raises a larger question about the tone of Nigeria’s political discourse. Can robust debates thrive without descending into thinly-veiled threats or outright hostility? As the nation watches this spat unfold, the next move—whether from Obi, Morka, or law enforcement—will determine whether this is just another storm in a teacup or a serious allegation that demands action.
For now, one thing is clear: the APC and Labour Party are unlikely to find common ground anytime soon, and the Nigerian public remains the ultimate jury in this war of words.