The 2023 presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has condemned the threat against Peter Obi by the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka.
This comes following Obi’s criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in his new year message, where he cited economic challenges such as insecurity and inflation. Obi thereby urged the President to visit all states across the country to understand the severity of these challenges amongst citizens.
Speaking on Arise News, Morka hit back at Obi, stating that he has crossed the line multiple times and should face the consequences of his actions.
The spokesperson noted that Obi had no legacy as a governor and should be vested in why he lost the presidential election, rather than being deceptive.
Obi on Monday raised alarm about his safety and that of his family, asking if he had ‘really crossed the line’.
However, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Atiku described Morka’s remarks as “inflammatory”, noting that it serve as a disturbing emblem of the current administration’s unsettling strategy in addressing opposition figures.
“This threat against Obi, coupled with the prolonged detention of Mahdi Shehu, a prominent voice of dissent and others, signals a worrisome shift towards an authoritarian governance model, where the rights of opposition voices are being suffocated. The choice of words used by the APC’s spokesperson, particularly the ominous suggestion that Obi has “crossed the line,” reveals an alarming disdain for democratic principles.
“Such language, rooted in hostility, has no place in a free society where civil discourse and engagement should reign supreme. A true democracy thrives on the healthy exchange of ideas, where the criticisms and contributions of opposition leaders, like Peter Obi, are seen as vital for the betterment of governance and the promotion of public accountability,” he stated.
The former Vice President explained that it is not merely the right, but the solemn duty of a democratic government to listen attentively to the voices of its critics, engage in meaningful dialogue, and allow space for the articulation of alternative viewpoints.
“Instead, we are faced with a chilling threat that suggests Obi must “be ready for whatever comes his way.” What, exactly, does Mr. Morka imply by this? It is imperative that the ruling party provides clarity on this disturbing insinuation.
“Equally troubling is the crude and disparaging manner in which the APC spokesperson has framed Peter Obi’s calls for constructive engagement, likening them to a lawless Wild West scenario. Such reckless and derogatory expressions cannot be tolerated, and it is incumbent upon the APC to issue a formal apology to Obi and the Nigerian people for such disgraceful language,” Atiku said.
He stressed: “The case of Mallam Shehu, languishing in detention without any clear explanation for his continued imprisonment, adds to the growing concern about the erosion of freedoms in Nigeria. If there is anyone who has truly “crossed the line,” it is the Tinubu administration, whose continuous vilification of opposition figures as mere irritants to be crushed is a dangerous precedent.”
The politician called on men and women of goodwill to intervene, and urged President Tinubu’s government to recalibrate its approach to dealing with dissent and opposition, adding that “the time has come to put an end to this stifling of voices that are crucial to the health of any functioning democracy.”
