…Tinubu should name Morka to order — LP chieftain
Distinguished activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has raised issues over the protection of Peter Obi, the previous Labour Get together presidential candidate.
Recall that Mr Obi had lately alleged that his life was threatened following his criticism of the Tinubu administration.
His issues got here after Felix Morka, the nationwide spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress, APC, accused Mr Obi of steadily “crossing the road” and hinted that he may face penalties.
Reacting by way of his X (previously Twitter) deal with, Mr Adeyanju condemned any try and hurt or persecute Obi for his outspoken criticism of the present administration, led by President Bola Tinubu.
Mr Adeyanju stated: “I condemn the risk to HE Peter Obi’s life for being a vocal voice of opposition in Nigeria. No hurt or persecution should come to him.
“Criticizing and holding the federal government accountable can’t be against the law however have to be recommended as the best signal of patriotism.”
Mr Adeyanju additional lamented that Nigeria is sliding into what he described as a “full-blown dictatorship” and warned in opposition to the nation remodeling right into a one-party state.
In the meantime, a chieftain of the Labour Half, Marcel Ngogbehei, has known as on President Bola Tinubu to name Mr Morka to order.
Ngogbehei who can be the Director Normal, Labour Get together Directorate of Mobilization and Integration stated the current statements from Mr Morka on Mr 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 can 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 Normal of the Labour Get together Directorate of Mobilization and Integration.
“The Labour Get together has stood agency and robust because the main opposition celebration in Nigeria and we want to categorical grave concern over the current 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 Get together 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 personal political profession is a testomony to the essential position opposition performs in making certain accountability, fostering improvement, and strengthening democracy.
“As a key chief within the opposition for a few years, you and the APC had been beneficiaries of the freedoms and protections afforded by Nigeria’s democratic system underneath 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 Mr Morka usually are not solely a risk to the lifetime of Mr Obi but additionally an affront to the values of free speech, constructive criticism, and political pluralism.
He stated the statements undermine the foundations of the nation’s democracy and recommend a harmful pattern towards the suppression of opposition voices within the political panorama.
“We, due to this fact, 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 stated such a public intervention is critical 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 brazenly 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 in 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 by means of motion.
“As a frontrunner who has enormously benefited from Nigeria’s democratic system, you’re in a singular place to champion and defend the proper 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 the very best curiosity of our nation and to make sure that our democracy stays sturdy, inclusive, and resilient”, the letter added.
