Obi: Atiku,Labour Party slam APC
Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, has expressed strong disapproval of National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Felix Morka’s remarks against Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate.
He stated that if anyone had crossed the boundary, as claimed by the APC spokesman, it was President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Atiku’s statement, which was uploaded on the X platform yesterday, came on the same day that the Labour Party (LP) raised concerns about what it termed as a threat to Nigeria’s democracy and freedom of expression.
The former vice president, who described Morka’s remarks as a troubling indicator of the ruling party’s drift towards authoritarianism, said: “If anyone has truly ‘crossed the line,’ it is the Tinubu-led government, which appears intent on crushing opposition figures rather than engaging them in meaningful dialogue.”
He claimed that such speech demonstrated a profound disregard for democratic principles and damaged the values of healthy dialogue in a pluralistic society.
“The use of words, particularly the foreboding phrase ‘stepped the line,’ is not only undemocratic but also frightening. It suggests an authoritarian attitude in which disagreeing voices are viewed as threats to be repressed rather than contributing to governance.
“In every true democracy, the government’s critics play a critical role in maintaining accountability and openness. Attempts to silence these views only serve to undermine public faith and democratic institutions.
“This kind of talk is not just irresponsible, but also unworthy of a party that claims to support democratic norms. Peter Obi, like any other opposition leader, has the right to fight for accountability and good administration without facing threats or mockery.”
The PDP stalwart went on to say that democracy relied on a free flow of ideas and the ability of opposition leaders to criticise government policies.
He also denounced Morka’s demeaning portrayal of Obi’s requests for discussion, which the APC spokesperson compared to “a lawless Wild West scenario.”
The former vice president’s letter also expressed worry about the detention of Mahdi Shehu, a strong critic of the present administration, who was “held without clear justification.”
Atiku referred to Shehu’s condition as part of a “pattern of silencing dissenting voices.”
He continued, “The lengthy detention of Mahdi Shehu and others is a clear indication of the administration’s contempt for fundamental freedoms.
“If anyone has truly ‘crossed the line,’ it is the Tinubu-led government, which seems intent on crushing opposition figures rather than engaging them in meaningful dialogue.”
Atiku urged the APC to clarify Morka’s statement, specifically the veiled threat that Obi “must be ready for whatever comes his way.”
“Such unsettling insinuations necessitate an immediate answer. The ruling party must show its commitment to democracy by withdrawing its provocative statements and apologising to Peter Obi and the Nigerian people.
“Civil society groups and other stakeholders have condemned the APC’s handling of dissent. Many have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to have a more inclusive and tolerant approach to opposition figures.
“It is now up to all men and women of goodwill to intervene. The administration must reconsider its stance on dissent and opposition, as these voices are critical to the health of any democracy. Without them, we risk succumbing to authoritarianism, which has no place in our society.
In response to the problem, the Labour Party wrote to President Tinubu yesterday, citing concerns about what it described as challenges to democracy and freedom of expression in Nigeria.
In an open letter to the President, Marcel Ngogbehei, Director General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration, voiced deep worry over Morka’s ‘inflammatory words’.
He stated that these utterances went beyond political competitiveness and undermined free speech, constructive criticism, and political plurality, all of which are fundamental principles of Nigerian democracy.
The letter also warned that the rhetoric aimed against Peter Obi indicated a worrisome trend towards the silencing of opposing voices.
I did not threaten your life, quit making lies, APC spokesman says Obi.
However, Felix Morka, the All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson, denied threatening Peter Obi’s life yesterday.
In a statement, the APC spokesperson, who ordered Obi to cease spreading falsehoods, said: “While everyone has the right to free expression, no one has the right to spread disinformation or outright lies.
“The right to free expression guaranteed by our country’s Constitution is not exclusive to Mr. Obi; it is open to all Nigerians, including Morka.
“Mr. Obi cannot disseminate misinformation and demand or expect that no one should disagree or challenge his false narrative.”
The APC spokeswoman claimed that the former governor leads a “mob” that gives “death threats” to anybody who disagree with him.
He stated, “Many eminent and highly respected elder statesmen have been serially attacked, humiliated, and bullied by Obi’s online supporters.” Obi has never criticised their actions or held them to account.
“Obi must consider himself Nigeria’s sacred cow, the super citizen, quintessential, without blemish, beyond reproach, always right, never wrong, and endowed with the supreme and inalienable right to deride, castigate, intimidate, blackmail, and incite Nigerians against other political leaders who disagree with him, including those who defeated him decisively in the last general election.”
“Mr. Obi is not entitled to any monolithic or exclusive constitutional or extraterrestrial liberty over and above any other citizen.”
Morka claimed Obi incited others against him by suggesting his life was threatened, adding, “That is unacceptable.” As a public figure, Mr. Obi is responsible for providing accurate and true information.