Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned against any attempts to stifle opposition, underscoring the essential role of constructive criticism in a democratic society
Atiku’s reaction followed Peter Obi’s allegations of receiving threats for criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
This dramatic turn of events started on Monday, after Obi publicly asserted that he was being threatened for repeatedly criticizing President Tinubu’s administration, sparking a firestorm of controversy.
Recall that in an interview granted by All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka to Arise Tv, during which he launched a “verbal assault” on Obi, accusing him of “crossing the line,” adding that he should “be ready for whatever comes his way”.
The APC spokesperson also included the claim that Obi’s assessment of the current administration was “ridiculous and deceptive,” while also disparaging his legacy as governor of Anambra state.
In a response issued on Tuesday, Atiku Abubakar condemned Morka’s statement as “inflammatory and disturbing”.
The former VP added that the APC and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu government must issue a formal apology to Obi.
“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, 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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“It is now time for all men and women of goodwill to intervene, 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” -AA
