In a scathing critique, 2023 PDP Presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has condemned the inflammatory remarks issued by the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, directed at Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election. Abubakar described these remarks 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, signals a worrisome shift towards an authoritarian governance model, where the rights of opposition voices are being suffocated,” Abubakar stated.
Abubakar expressed alarm over the choice of words used by the APC’s spokesperson, particularly the ominous suggestion that Obi has “crossed the line.” He noted, “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.”
Highlighting the duty of a democratic government to listen to its critics, Abubakar emphasized, “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. 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.”
Abubakar also criticized the crude and disparaging manner in which the APC spokesperson 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,” he asserted.
Addressing the case of Mallam Shehu, who remains in detention without any clear explanation, Abubakar added, “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.”
Abubakar called for immediate intervention from all men and women of goodwill, urging the Tinubu government to recalibrate its approach to dealing with dissent and opposition. “The time has come to put an end to this stifling of voices that are crucial to the health of any functioning democracy,” he concluded.
