Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken to his X account to condemn the recent inflammatory remarks made by APC Publicity Secretary Felix Morka against Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the last general election. Atiku described the threats and continued detention of prominent critics like Mahdi Shehu as troubling signs of Nigeria’s slide toward authoritarian governance.
In his post, Atiku expressed alarm over Morka’s statement that Obi has “crossed the line,” calling it a dangerous attack on democratic principles. “Democracy thrives on civil discourse, not on hostility and threats,” Atiku wrote, urging the APC to apologize to Obi and the nation for the disparaging comments.
The former Vice President further decried the government’s increasing hostility toward opposition figures, emphasizing that a democratic government’s duty is to engage critics and embrace alternative viewpoints. “What does it mean for Obi to ‘be ready for whatever comes his way?’ This rhetoric undermines the foundations of our democracy,” Atiku warned.
He also highlighted the prolonged detention of Mahdi Shehu, describing it as a blatant suppression of dissent. Atiku called on President Tinibu’s administration to respect the rule of law and protect the freedoms essential to a vibrant democracy.
As concerns grow over Nigeria’s democratic future, Atiku’s message has sparked widespread debate, with many calling for immediate action to safeguard opposition voices and restore public trust in governance.
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