Atiku slams APC govt over ‘threat’ to Peter Obi

… Says it’s dangerous precedent

… As Obi alleges threat to his life

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has slammed the Federal Government over threats to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections.

This is also as Peter Obi said he had received death threats over his recent comments on President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Obi in his recent New Year message had urged President Tinubu to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians. Obi also advised Tinubu to visit the 36 states of the federation to feel the pulse of the people.

Yunusa Tanko, global coordinator of the Obidient Movement, on his X handle, quoted Felix Marka, the All Progressive Congress (APC), national publicity secretary, as saying that “Mr. Peter Obi has crossed the line and whatever he gets, he should manage it.”

Tanko said, “This is a direct threat to Mr. Obi’s life and the peace of the Nigerian state.”

Tanko, on behalf of the Obidient Movement, expressed concern over the comments made by Felix Morka, on Arise TV on January 5, 2025.

On his part, Abubakar condemned the inflammatory remarks directed at Peter Obi by the APC spokesperson.

In a statement posted on his X handle, Abubakar said Morka’s threats “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.”

He said, “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.”

Read also: Atiku condemns APC’s “threat” to Peter Obi, warns of growing authoritarianism

He noted that 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 provide 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 former vice president also cited the case of one Mallam Shehu, languishing in detention without any clear explanation for his continued imprisonment, adding 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 @officialABAT 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.”

It would be recalled that Felix Morka, the APC spokesman, had accused Peter Obi of “Crossing the Line” and warned that “he will face the consequences.”

According to him, “he (Obi) should be ready for whatever comes his way.”