A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Marcel Ngogbehei, has expressed concerns over what he describes as growing threats to democracy and freedom of speech in Nigeria, following alleged remarks targeting the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ngogbehei, who is the Director General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, called for urgent intervention.
He specifically cited comments by the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, as inflammatory and detrimental to democratic values.
“These statements go beyond political rivalry,” Ngogbehei wrote. “They undermine free speech, constructive criticism, and political pluralism—foundational principles of Nigeria’s democracy.”
The LP chieftain warned that the rhetoric aimed at Peter Obi suggests a troubling trend toward the suppression of opposition voices and a disregard for the principles of political pluralism.
Ngogbehei further emphasized that such remarks could have serious implications for national unity, cautioning that, “The rhetoric targeting Peter Obi not only threatens his life but also poses a grave danger to our democratic values.”
He urged President Tinubu to take decisive action to uphold freedom of speech and ensure a level playing field for all political actors, irrespective of their affiliations.
Ngogbehei said, “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).
“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.
“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 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.
“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. Leadership, Your Excellency, demands the courage to defend democracy not just in words but through action.
“I trust in your wisdom and leadership to act in the best interest of our nation and to ensure that our democracy remains strong, inclusive, and resilient.”