Following the alleged risk to life on the 2023 Labour Social gathering, LP, Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, a chieftain of the social gathering, Marcel Ngogbehei, has known as on President Bola Tinubu to name the Nationwide Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Felix Morka to order.
Mr Ngogbehei who can also be the Director Common, Labour Social gathering Directorate of Mobilization and Integration mentioned the latest statements from Morka on Obi has gone past political rivalry and pose a direct risk to the nation’s democracy, peace, and unity.
In an open letter, the LP chieftain whereas reminding President Tinubu of the liberty of expression he loved throughout his days as an opposition, questioned why Mr Obi could be threatened for simply airing his opinion on the state of the nation.
“With all due respect, I write to you in my capability because the Director Common of the Labour Social gathering Directorate of Mobilization and Integration.
“The Labour Social gathering has stood agency and powerful because the main opposition social gathering in Nigeria and we want to specific grave concern over the latest unguarded and threatening remarks made by Mr. Felix Morka, the Nationwide Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“These statements, which goal H.E. Peter Obi, a revered international determine and the Presidential candidate of the Labour Social gathering within the final election, transcend political rivalry and pose a direct risk to our democracy, peace, and unity.
“Your Excellency, you’re uniquely positioned to understand the importance of a vibrant opposition in a democratic system. Your individual political profession is a testomony to the important position opposition performs in guaranteeing accountability, fostering growth, and strengthening democracy.
“As a key chief within the opposition for a few years, you and the APC have been beneficiaries of the freedoms and protections afforded by Nigeria’s democratic system beneath the then President Goodluck Jonathan, which allowed you to problem the established order and finally ascend to energy”, the letter reads.
Moreover, Mr Ngogbehei famous that the statements Morka usually are not solely a risk to the lifetime of Mr Obi but in addition an affront to the values of free speech, constructive criticism, and political pluralism.
He mentioned the statements undermine the foundations of the nation’s democracy and counsel a harmful pattern towards the suppression of opposition voices within the political panorama.
“We, subsequently, name on you because the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the chief of the ruling APC, to publicly warning and reprimand Mr. Felix Morka for his inflammatory statements throughout the subsequent seven (7) days”, he famous.
The LP chieftain mentioned such a public intervention is important to show the President’s dedication to respecting democratic values, selling peace and stability, and upholding international democratic requirements.
“Ought to Your Excellency select to not act decisively by overtly condemning Mr. Morka’s statements, it would ship a troubling sign to Nigerians and the worldwide neighborhood that your administration is both complicit in or detached to threats in opposition to democracy and political dissent.
“Such a stance would contradict the worldwide tenets of democratic governance and tarnish Nigeria’s status as a nation striving to strengthen its democratic establishments.
“It’s crucial on your administration to distance itself from any rhetoric or actions that threaten free speech, suppress opposition, or endanger the lives of political leaders. Management, Your Excellency, calls for the braveness to defend democracy not simply in phrases however via motion.
“As a pacesetter who has significantly benefited from Nigeria’s democratic system, you’re in a novel place to champion and shield the best to opposition and free speech. By taking swift and public motion to warning Mr. Felix Morka, you’ll reaffirm your administration’s dedication to those values and set a precedent for political conduct in Nigeria.
“I belief in your knowledge and management to behave in one of the best curiosity of our nation and to make sure that our democracy stays robust, inclusive, and resilient”, the letter added.
