The Labour Party’s (LP) leadership has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu to reprimand and caution the All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesman, Felix Morka, over the alleged threat he issued to its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Obi had accused Morka of threatening his life, following his criticism of Tinubu’s administration in his New Year message.
He asked if he has “really crossed the line” following alleged threats against his life, family, and associates.
Obi’s allegation followed a statement credited to Morka, in an interview with Arise TV on Sunday, where he said, “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and he has what’s coming to him, and whatever he gets, he should manage it.”
However, the party on Tuesday’s through an open letter addressed to the president, advised Tinubu to distance itself from any rhetoric or actions that threaten free speech, suppress opposition, or endanger the lives of political leaders.
Director General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilisation and Integration, Marcel Ngogbehei, warned against targeting Obi over his New Year’s state of the nation message.
The LP chieftain raised concerns about how Morka went about his statements, asserting that it showed that his disagreement goes beyond party rivalry and the principle of free speech required in a democracy.
He said: “These statement, 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.
Read also: This Day faces backlash for bestowing Man of the Year award on Tinubu
“Your Excellency, as a key leader in the opposition for many years, you and the APC were beneficiaries of the freedom and protection 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.”