Threat to Peter Obi: LP chieftain urges President Tinubu to reprimand APC spokesman

A prominent member of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Marcel Ngogbehei, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene following alleged threats made against the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

Ngogbehei, who serves as the Director General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, has urged the president to take action against the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Felix Morka, whose recent statements about Obi he says have gone beyond political rivalry and pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, peace, and unity.

In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu, Ngogbehei reminded the president of the freedoms of expression he enjoyed during his time as an opposition leader, questioning why Obi should be targeted for simply expressing his views on national issues.

The LP Chieftain stressed the importance of robust opposition in a democratic system and highlighted how such freedoms contributed to Tinubu’s political rise.

Ngogbehei pointed out that Morka’s remarks were not only a threat to Obi’s safety but also to the core values of free speech, constructive criticism, and political pluralism.

He warned that such rhetoric undermines the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy and raises concerns about the suppression of opposition voices.

Ngogbehei said in a letter: “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.”

He further warned that failure to address the issue could tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation and suggest a lack of commitment to protecting democratic rights.

Ngogbehei stated that leadership requires courage to defend democracy and free speech, and called on President Tinubu to set a positive example by reprimanding Morka’s inflammatory remarks.

“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.