Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Tinubu administration of acting as an authoritarian government that is averse to opposition and dissent.
Atiku was reacting to the inflammatory remarks made by the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, in responding to statements by the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023, Mr. Peter Obi, in x-raying the performance of the Tinubu administration after more than 18 months in office.
On his X handle on Tuesday, Atiku, who contested the 2023 presidential poll under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the inflammatory remarks issued by Morka, directed at @PeterObi, serve as a disturbing emblem of the current administration’s unsettling strategy in addressing opposition figures.
He stated that 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.”
Atiku said that 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, asserting that “such language, rooted in hostility, has no place in a free society where civil discourse and engagement should reign supreme.
“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.
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“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 provides 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.”
Atiku further charged the Tinubu administration to explain the continued detention of Mallam Shehu, without any clear explanation, adding that Shehu’s case adds to the growing concern about the erosion of freedoms in the country.
“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,” he said.
