Kehinde Fajobi
The Labour Party has raised concerns over what it describes as threats to democracy and freedom of speech in Nigeria, following remarks allegedly targeting its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Marcel Ngogbehei, a party chieftain and Director General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
He claims that statements made by Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), pose a threat to both Obi’s safety and Nigeria’s democratic principles.
In an open letter to Tinubu, Ngogbehei expressed deep concerns about what he referred to as ‘inflammatory remarks’ made by Morka.
He argued that such statements go beyond political rivalry, undermining free speech, constructive criticism, and political pluralism—core elements of Nigeria’s democracy.
The letter warned that such rhetoric targeting Obi signals a dangerous trend of suppressing opposition voices.
Ngogbehei stated, “With all due respect, I write to you in my capacity as the Director General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration.
“The Labour Party has stood firm and strong as the leading opposition party in Nigeria and we wish to express grave concern over the recent unguarded and threatening remarks made by Mr. Felix Morka, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
He continued, “These statements, which target H.E. Peter Obi, a respected global figure and the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last election, go beyond political rivalry and pose a direct threat to our democracy, peace, and unity.”
Ngogbehei further reminded Tinubu of the democratic freedoms that allowed him and the APC to challenge the political system in the past.
“You and the APC were beneficiaries of the freedoms and protections afforded by Nigeria’s democratic system under the then President Goodluck Jonathan,” he noted.
He concluded the letter by urging the President to take action against Morka.
“We, therefore, call on you as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the leader of the ruling APC, to publicly caution and reprimand Mr. Felix Morka for his inflammatory statements within the next seven (7) days.”
Ngogbehei warned that failure to act would signal the government’s potential complicity in undermining democratic freedoms and endangering political figures.