LP chieftain: Peter Obi shouldn’t be threatened for his opinion on state of nation

Marcel Ngogbehei. a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), has asked President Bola Tinubu to caution members of his ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), against making inflammatory statements. 

Ngogbehei was reacting to a statement by Felix Morka, national spokesperson of the APC, who said, “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and has it coming to him whatever he gets”.

During an interview with Arise Television, Morka described Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, as an “irrational being” and slammed his public commentary.

The APC spokesperson labelled Obi’s claims as “ridiculous” and “deceptive,” criticising his 8-year tenure as Anambra governor for lacking legacy.

Obi, in his New Year message to Nigerians, criticised Tinubu and expressed concerns over “institutional corruption, mismanagement, poverty, hardship, and an escalating debt profile”.

In a letter to the president on Tuesday, Ngogbehei asked Tinubu to call Morka to order, adding that Obi should not be threatened for airing his opinion on the state of the nation.

Ngogbehei, who is also the director-general of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, said Morka’s statement on Obi has gone beyond political rivalry.

“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),” Ngogbehei said.

“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.”

Ngogbehei said the statement undermines the foundations of the country’s democracy and suggests 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,” Ngogbehei said.

“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.”