Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 Presidential candidate, has reported alarming threats to his life and the lives of his family members following the release of his New Year message on January 1, 2025. The former governor expressed confusion in a post shared on his X handle on January 6, 2025, questioning why his message would lead to such serious threats.

In his post, Obi expressed concern over the targeted attacks, wondering what he had said in his message that could have provoked individuals to threaten him and his loved ones. This incident has sparked a wider conversation about political speech and safety, highlighting the growing tensions in the country’s political landscape.

‘’Have I really crossed the line?

I ask the question because my New Year message has now led to threats against my life, my family, and those around me. While I have received all sorts of messages, one Mr. Felix Morka has gone further to accuse me of “crossing the line” and has warned that I will face the consequences.

If I have truly crossed the line, I invite anyone to point it out, as I remain committed to upholding decorum. However, I will not be silenced in my resolve to speak truthfully, especially as our nation continues to drift toward undemocratic practices.

We are increasingly transforming into an authoritarian and repressive regime, where freedom of expression is being systematically suppressed.

May God help us create a better and freer society for the sake of our children.”

In the new year message titled “’Nigeria Needs Selfless And Exemplary Leadership’, the former governor of Anambra State had demanded what he called “vigorous, positive actions” by the administration, to bring succour to Nigerians, most of whom he said appeared to be losing hope.

Part of his message reads;

’Nigeria remains one of the poverty capitals of the world, with over 100 million people living in extreme poverty and more than 150 million in multidimensional poverty. The situation has deteriorated significantly over the past 18 months under the current administration. As a nation, we have fallen from being the largest economy in Africa, with a GDP of $574 billion and a per capita income of over $3,500 in 2014, to now ranking fourth on the continent. Our current GDP is less than 50% of what it was a decade ago, standing at approximately $200 billion, with a per capita income of barely $1,000.

Nigeria remains one of the most insecure and least peaceful nations in the world, with countless communities and families displaced from their homes and now living in IDP camps. According to the Global Peace Index (GPI), Nigeria ranks 143rd out of 163 countries in terms of peacefulness – an indication of a high level of distress.

Food insecurity has become our new national norm, making Nigeria one of the hungriest countries in the world. Gainfully employed and middle-income Nigerians now spend nearly their entire incomes on feeding, with some even resorting to borrowing just to eat. For those living on the margins –  low-income earners and the unemployed – the situation is even more dire. The newly approved minimum wage of N70,000 cannot afford a bag of rice or even half a bag of beans. As a result, many Nigerians go to bed hungry, while a significant number now rely on palliatives and charitable support. Tragically, this has recently led to several avoidable deaths. Nigeria’s ranking on the 2024 Global Hunger Index is 110th out of 127 countries, reflecting a critical level of hunger and food insecurity in the nation.”