Events of the new calendar year are rapidly indicating that politicians in the ruling and opposition parties are going straight for the jugular; ready to lunge politically at one another with scathing criticisms and not in the least bit mindful of whose ox is gored.
The year has also given Nigerian voters the impression that the political drama they are witnessing so far between the All Progressives Congress, on the one hand, and the Labour Party and People’s Democratic Party, on the other hand, are just the tip of the iceberg.
And following the atomic bomb-like 2025 New Year address the LP’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, graciously dropped in the polity to draw attention to the “shortcomings” of the APC; it is obvious that the floodgates to more political tit for tat have been opened.
Obi’s address also seemingly took a bit of attention away from President Bola Tinubu’s own New Year address to the nation, and this is despite the fact that the Commander-in-Chief promised better economic growth, expanded credit opportunities and youth empowerment in his speech.
The APC, already riled up, said Obi’s address was intended to score cheap political points, and expectedly, it fostered interparty vitriols in Obi’s supporters, known as Obidients, and those on the other side of the political divide.
Moreover, the message made “cross the line” the latest go-to expression that is now being used by political actors to air their grievances and to exonerate themselves from any fault.
Obi started his address, which is a long read, by felicitating Nigerians, and neutrals probably thought that the former Anambra State Governor was bringing glad tidings.
It was only after he released the first salvo of criticism against the APC and those who make up the party that Nigerians knew he meant business.
Obi claimed in his write-up that Tinubu and the APC had mismanaged Nigeria’s resources.
And unlike his previous New Year message where he asked Nigerians to take some time to slow down and celebrate the little victories, the love, grace and the many blessings they received and gave out, it was obvious that this year, Obi was prepared to take no prisoners.
“Morka should also cool down a bit with all the rhetoric. He should remember that there is life after politics and that the likes of Ganduje that are supporting him now, may turn against him tomorrow”
So, without mincing words in this year’s message, Obi quickly got down to the nitty-gritty of his claims, stating that “the political, economic and security situation of our country is worsening daily, despite contrary positions and claims by the government of improvement in different spheres of human endeavour.”
Interestingly enough, to demonstrate what some of his supporters call his “generosity” and “big heart,” Obi dished out 11 key pieces of advice he carefully packaged for the President that he (Obi) imagined are suggestions on the way forward.
The APC was not impressed and its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, brought Obi crashing back to earth by stating that the presidential hopeful has crossed the line and will face “consequences.”
“Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and he has what’s coming to him, and whatever he gets, he should manage it,” Morka said.
Not letting it lie low, Obi promptly came to the people’s court on social media and asked Nigerians if he had indeed crossed the line.
Obi also said he maintains decorum whenever he spoke truth to power and would not be silenced by Tinubu’s authoritarian government.
And perhaps because Morka had implied some sort of riveting consequences, Obi went ahead to allege “threats to my life, my family and those around me.”
Following the public backlash against him, Morka clarified his statement, explaining to Nigerians that in his interview, what he actually had in mind was that Obi crossed the line of truth. He also denied threatening Obi and his family.
Many Nigerians have continued to share their views on the matter. While some have stood by Obi, others have supported Morka and called Obi a liar.
Former Vice President and flag bearer of the PDP in the last presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, is among the opposition politicians who came down heavily on the APC and Morka.
“The choice of words used by the APC spokesperson, particularly the ominous suggestion that Obi has ‘crossed the line,’ reveals an alarming disdain for democratic principles,” Atiku said.
“Such language, rooted in hostility, has no place in a free society where civil discourse and engagement should reign supreme,” the former Vice President added.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, however, came to Morka’s defence.
Ganduje charged Obi with libel and taunted the former Anambra State Governor for encouraging his supporters to threaten Morka with death.
In his no-holds-barred interview, Ganduje also insisted that Obi was being economical with the truth when he said that Morka had threatened him and his family.
So far, neither Obi nor Morka has apologised for any of the utterances that heated the polity, and as the build-up to 2027 continues to gather momentum, whoever bats an eyelid between the two men may lose bragging rights.
A political analyst, Benedict Njoku, told The Point, “Everything happening now between Obi and Morka is just a reminder of how intriguing the 2027 presidential election will be.
“The election will not be for lily-livered politicians and anyone who cannot take the heat in the kitchen now should honourably step away.
“And since you asked, I will say without reservation that Morka is the one who crossed the line.
“Morka, the APC spokesperson, was just overzealous in his response to Obi.
“Remember that Ganduje also said that Morka was only doing his job as the spokesperson of the APC, and I agree with the chairman on that.
“But that it is spokespersonship taken too far on Morka’s part.
“You cannot directly or indirectly threaten a man and expect the whole world to give you a pat on the back for being a spokesperson. There will always be repercussions for unguarded utterances.
“Morka should also cool down a bit with all the rhetoric. He should remember that there is life after politics and that the likes of Ganduje that are supporting him now, may turn against him tomorrow.”
A public affairs analyst, Muyiwa Bello, said he did not think that Morka was the one who crossed the line.
Bello also said that although Obi maintained decorum in his New Year address as he claims he is wont to do whenever he spoke truth to power, his supporters should be blamed for escalating the verbal exchange and should rightly be the ones who crossed the line.
“How can anyone say that Morka crossed the line? He gave a robust response to Obi and unfortunately it was taken out of context.
“It is true that Obi maintained decorum but there is a vital detail most Nigerians are overlooking, and I am talking about the actions and utterances of members of the so-called Obidient.
“Obidients, and they don’t need to agree with me, are the ones who escalated the whole verbal exchange.
“They insulted Morka and his family. They called him several unprintable names and threatened him and his family with death.
“The funniest part of everything, however, is that Obi has not deemed it fit to caution his supporters.
“It is for this reason I submit that Obi also crossed the line with the way he is rubbing his indolence on our faces.
“He has to show us that he can control those under him. And if he cannot do that now, then why should we believe that you can handle your own affairs effectively.”
