By Jude Opara
Following the alleged threat to life on the 2023 Labour Party, (LP), Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, a chieftain of the party, Marcel Ngogbehei, has called on President Bola Tinubu to call the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Felix Morka to order.
Mr Ngogbehei who is also the Director General, Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration said the recent statements from Morka on Obi has gone beyond political rivalry and pose a direct threat to the country’s democracy, peace, and unity.
In an open letter, the LP chieftain while reminding President Tinubu of the freedom of expression he enjoyed during his days as an opposition, wondered why Mr Obi would be threatened for just airing his opinion on the state of the nation.
“With all due respect, I write to you in my capacity as the Director General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration.
“The Labour Party has stood firm and strong as the leading opposition party in Nigeria and we wish to express grave concern over the recent unguarded and threatening remarks made by Mr. Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“These statements, which target H.E. Peter Obi, a respected global figure and the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, go beyond political rivalry and pose a direct threat to our democracy, peace, and unity.
“Your Excellency, you are uniquely positioned to appreciate the significance of a vibrant opposition in a democratic system. Your own political career is a testament to the critical role opposition plays in ensuring accountability, fostering development, and strengthening democracy.
“As a key leader in the opposition for many years, you and the APC were beneficiaries of the freedoms and protections afforded by Nigeria’s democratic system under the then President Goodluck Jonathan, which allowed you to challenge the status quo and ultimately ascend to power”, the letter reads.
Furthermore, Mr Ngogbehei noted that the statements Morka are not only a threat to the life of Mr Obi but also an affront to the values of free speech, constructive criticism, and political pluralism.
He said the statements undermine the foundations of the country’s democracy and suggest a dangerous trend toward the suppression of opposition voices in the political landscape.
“We, therefore, call on you as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the leader of the ruling APC, to publicly caution and reprimand Mr. Felix Morka for his inflammatory statements within the next seven (7) days”, he noted.
The LP chieftain said such a public intervention is necessary to demonstrate the President’s commitment to respecting democratic values, promoting peace and stability, and upholding global democratic standards.
“Should Your Excellency choose not to act decisively by openly condemning Mr. Morka’s statements, it will send a troubling signal to Nigerians and the international community that your administration is either complicit in or indifferent to threats against democracy and political dissent.
“Such a stance would contradict the global tenets of democratic governance and tarnish Nigeria’s reputation as a nation striving to strengthen its democratic institutions.
“It is imperative for your administration to distance itself from any rhetoric or actions that threaten free speech, suppress opposition, or endanger the lives of political leaders. Leadership, Your Excellency, demands the courage to defend democracy not just in words but through action.
“As a leader who has greatly benefited from Nigeria’s democratic system, you are in a unique position to champion and protect the right to opposition and free speech. By taking swift and public action to caution Mr. Felix Morka, you will reaffirm your administration’s commitment to these values and set a precedent for political conduct in Nigeria.
“I trust in your wisdom and leadership to act in the best interest of our nation and to ensure that our democracy remains strong, inclusive, and resilient”, the letter added.
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