Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the All Progressives Congress (APC) over comments made by its publicity secretary, Felix Morka, about Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.
The controversy began after Obi, during a press conference on Thursday, the first day of the new year, expressed concerns about the state of Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership. Obi criticised the worsening political, economic, security, and healthcare conditions, arguing that the government’s claims of progress were at odds with the reality on the ground.
“Our national challenges are visibly worsening. Our nation and its fortunes are in clear reverse. The indices are clearly indicative of our decline; thus our national indices tell a disconcerting story,” Obi said.
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In response, Morka, in a recent interview, reportedly remarked, “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and has it coming to him whatever he gets.”
Atiku, in a statement shared on X on Tuesday, described Morka’s comments as inflammatory, labelling them a ‘disturbing emblem of the current administration’s unsettling strategy in dealing with 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,” Atiku said.
He went on to criticise Morka’s choice of words, particularly the suggestion that Obi had “crossed the line,” which he saw as indicative of an alarming disregard for democratic principles.
“Atiku emphasised that such language, rooted in hostility, has no place in a free society where civil discourse and engagement should prevail.”
According to Atiku, a functioning democracy thrives on a healthy exchange of ideas, with the criticisms and contributions of opposition leaders, such as Peter Obi, being crucial for the improvement of governance and the promotion of public accountability.
“It is not merely the right, but the solemn duty of a democratic government to listen attentively to the voices of its critics, to engage in meaningful dialogue, and to allow space for the articulation of alternative viewpoints,” Atiku continued.
He questioned Morka’s insinuation that Obi should “be ready for whatever comes his way,” calling for the ruling party to clarify this disturbing threat.
Atiku also condemned the way Morka had framed Peter Obi’s calls for constructive engagement, likening them to a lawless “Wild West” scenario.
“These 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,” he added.
The former vice president also pointed to the case of Mahdi Shehu, who has been languishing in detention without explanation, highlighting the growing concern over the erosion of freedoms in Nigeria.
“If there is anyone who has truly ‘crossed the line,’ it is the Tinubu administration, whose continued vilification of opposition figures as mere irritants to be crushed sets a dangerous precedent,” Atiku said.
He urged the Tinubu government to reassess its approach to handling dissent and opposition, stressing the importance of allowing space for a healthy democracy.
“The time has come to end this stifling of voices crucial to the health of any functioning democracy,” Atiku concluded.
