LP joins Atiku to finger, blame Tinubu as Morka levels counter-allegations
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
President Bola Tinubu has been given seven days by the Labour Party (LP) to reprimand All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka for his incendiary rhetoric about Peter Obi and threatening him on national television.
The ultimatum, given in a petition on Tuesday, came 24 hours after the APC and the Obedient Movement engaged in a heated argument over the threat to Obi, LP presidential candidate and Tinubu’s opponent in the 2023 ballot.
Another contestant in the ballot, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has also fingered and berated Tinubu in the attacks against Obi by his associates.
Atiku urged the APC to tender a formal apology to Obi and other Nigerians over Morka’s inflammatory and “disgraceful language” in his interview on Arise Television.
Morka insisted in the interview that Obi has “crossed the line” in his persistent criticism of Tinubu’s administration and deserves to get whatever comes his way because he is desperately seeking to incite Nigerians into bringing down the government.
The petition written to Tinubu by LP Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration Director Marcel Ngogbehei warned against targeting Obi over his New Year’s State of the Nation message, saying Morka’s comments show that his disagreement go beyond party rivalry to threaten free speech in a democracy.
“These statements, which target Peter Obi, a respected global figure and LP Presidential candidate in the last election, go beyond political rivalry and pose a direct threat to our democracy, peace, and unity,” Ngogbehei stressed.
“Your Excellency, 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.
“We, therefore, call on you to reprimand Mr Felix Morka for his inflammatory statements within the next seven days.
“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.
“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.”
Morka levels counter-allegations against Obi and Obidients
But, to press home his point, Morka raised counter-allegations in a statement he issued in Abuja on Tuesday asking Obi to call his supporters to order.
Morka lamented that he has become the target of many online trolls from Obi’s supporters (Obidients) over his alleged inflammatory utterances.
His words: “We call on Mr Obi to immediately set the record straight, withdraw his false allegation against Morka, and call his online supporters to order.
“Obi leads a restless band of online mob who continue to attack, intimidate, bully and issue death threats to other citizens who dare disagree or criticize his opinions on any matter of national conversation.
“Obi has never condemned their conduct or called them to order. To be clear and for the record, Morka did not threaten Mr Obi, his family or those around him or anyone.
“Nothing that Morka said in that interview or any other forum remotely suggests a threat against Mr Obi or anyone else.
“As the national spokesman of the ruling party, I will continue to hold Obi and other opposition actors accountable for their actions, just as they seek to, and should, hold our great party and administration accountable when truth and public trust are compromised.”
Atiku demands APC apology to Obi over Morka’s “disgraceful language”
Atiku countered in a post on X that “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.
“Such language, rooted in hostility, has no place in a free society where civil discourse and engagement should reign supreme.
“It is not merely the right but the solemn duty of a democratic government to listen attentively to the voices of its critics, engage in meaningful dialogue, and allow space for the articulation of alternative viewpoints.
“A 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.”
APC scoffs, counter accuses Obi of playing the victim
A member of the APC National Working Committee, Tolu Bankole, expressed support for Morka, who he said is merely doing his job.
He criticised Obi for playing the victim after allegedly inciting his online supporters to troll Morka.
“I urge Mr Obi to stop playing the victim and focus on providing fact-based constructive opposition. The APC administration under President Bola Tinubu remains committed to nation-building and we welcome constructive criticisms grounded in truth,” Bankole said in a statement issued in Abuja.
“Let it be known that no amount of false allegations can distract the APC from its mandate of delivering good governance to the Nigerian people. It is the duty of the National Publicity Secretary to defend our government, President and APC policies.
“It is, however, troubling that Mr Obi, whose followers have gained notoriety for online bullying and issuing threats, would level such accusations while failing to address the toxic behaviours of his supporters.
“I know Morka to be a man of peace who would never threaten anyone’s life. His comments were within the bounds of political discourse and in response to criticisms of our government.
“He has also discharged this role with the utmost professionalism, maturity and a commitment to truth.”
Obi won’t be intimidated, says media aide
Obi’s Media Aide Umar Ibrahim told The PUNCH that his principal would not be intimidated by the antics of the APC because he has an indelible track record of holding leaders accountable.
“Obi’s stance on criticising the government remains unchanged despite the threats against his life. He has shown no indication of backing down or toning down this path,” Ibrahim said.
“In fact, his resolve to speak out against the government’s anti-people and deleterious policies seems to have strengthened.
“Given Peter Obi’s history of advocating for accountability and transparency, it’s unlikely that he will back down from criticising the government. Instead, he may continue to push for reforms and speak out against policies he disagrees with, even in the face of adversity.”
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