The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has strongly refuted claims made by the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, regarding alleged threats to his life. Ganduje called these allegations “sheer mischief” and “outright falsehoods,” emphasizing that they were part of an attempt to gain sympathy and manipulate public opinion.
In a statement released personally by Ganduje, he expressed disappointment over Obi’s claims, which were shared via the Labour Party leader’s verified account on X (formerly Twitter). According to Ganduje, the accusations were designed to distract and emotionally manipulate the public, and would have been ignored if not for the need to address the false narrative.
Ganduje pointed out that Obi’s claims stemmed from a misrepresentation of comments made by the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, during an interview on Arise TV’s ThisDay Live on January 4, 2025. Ganduje categorically stated that Morka did not, at any time, threaten Obi or his family.
In his statement, Ganduje said, “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 further stressed that Obi, as a public figure, has a responsibility to ensure the accuracy of the information he shares, as spreading misinformation erodes public trust. He clarified that Morka’s remarks were strictly in response to a question about “prophets of doom” and “voodoo economics,” and contained no threat toward Obi or anyone else.
The APC chairman also highlighted the importance of free speech as enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution, noting that it is a right afforded to all citizens, including those in the ruling party. He urged Obi to embrace constructive criticism as part of the democratic process, rather than resorting to spreading misinformation to avoid accountability.
“Does Mr. Obi expect the APC to sit idly by while the opposition spreads falsehoods without a response?” Ganduje asked, reaffirming that the APC will continue to counter baseless accusations with facts and support the Tinubu-led government in setting the record straight.
Finally, Ganduje reiterated that the APC remains committed to upholding democratic principles and holding opposition actors accountable, particularly when they engage in disinformation.
