Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned recent remarks made by Felix Morka, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Describing the comments as inflammatory and undemocratic, Atiku warned that the current administration’s approach towards opposition figures signals a dangerous drift towards authoritarian rule.
Atiku expressed particular concern over Morka’s statement that Obi had “crossed the line” and must be “ready for whatever comes his way.” The former Vice President noted that such language is not only hostile but also poses a threat to Nigeria’s democratic ideals. He emphasized that in a functioning democracy, dissenting voices and opposition leaders play a critical role in fostering public accountability and good governance.
“It is imperative for the APC to clarify what Morka meant by this troubling insinuation,” Atiku said, adding that the remarks reflect a troubling pattern by the ruling party to suppress opposition voices.
The PDP chieftain also called attention to the prolonged detention of Mahdi Shehu, a well-known critic of the government, without any clear justification. According to him, the continued vilification and detention of opposition figures signal an alarming disregard for democratic freedoms.
Atiku further criticized Morka’s characterization of Obi’s calls for engagement as akin to a “lawless Wild West,” describing the language as crude and unbefitting of a ruling party. He demanded an unreserved apology from the APC to Peter Obi and the Nigerian public for the “reckless and disgraceful” statements.
“The government has a duty to listen to critics, not threaten them. Any democracy that thrives does so on dialogue, not suppression. If anyone has truly crossed the line, it is this administration, with its repeated attacks on dissenters,” Atiku stated.
He urged Nigerians and the international community to intervene and prevail upon the Bola Tinubu-led administration to respect democratic norms. According to him, the escalating intolerance towards opposition figures endangers the country’s democratic stability.
Atiku concluded by calling for the immediate release of Mahdi Shehu and other political detainees, stressing that respect for the rule of law remains a cornerstone of any democratic government
