APC’s attack on Obi signals drift towards authoritarianism – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has decried the APC’s apparent slide towards authoritarianism, citing inflammatory remarks made by All Progressives Congress (APC) National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka against Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, alongside the prolonged detention of dissenting voices like Mahdi Shehu.

In a post on his verified X handle on Tuesday, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, shared widespread concern that in a series of recent events, Nigeria’s democratic fabric appears increasingly strained.

His statement came amid the criticism faced by the ruling party for its treatment of opposition figures.

Morka’s remarks, in which he accused Obi of “crossing the line,” have drawn sharp rebuke from political analysts and opposition leaders.

The statement, which implied that Obi should “be ready for whatever comes his way,” has raised alarms over potential political intimidation.

Some critics have already described the language as hostile and undemocratic, noting that it suggests a troubling intolerance for dissent under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“In a democracy, opposition is not an enemy; it is a partner in progress,” Atiku emphasized, warning that the APC’s rhetoric and actions threaten to undermine Nigeria’s democratic foundations.

Atiku joined other critics to argue that such veiled threats signal a strategy to suppress opposition voices rather than engage them in constructive dialogue.

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He called for immediate clarification from the APC, noting that this rhetoric contradicts the principles of free expression and political plurality.

“What does the APC mean by saying Obi has crossed the line? In a healthy democracy, there are no lines to cross when engaging in lawful criticism of government policies,” Atiku stated.

He urged the APC to issue a public apology, describing the party’s tone as “reckless and unbecoming.”

Adding to his concerns is the continued detention of Mahdi Shehu, a vocal critic of the current administration.

Despite calls for his release, Shehu remains incarcerated without transparent legal justification.

The former Vice President expressed alarm at the pattern of targeting opposition voices, warning that this approach could erode the democratic gains Nigeria has made since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

“If there is anyone who has truly crossed the line, it is the APC government, which appears determined to crush dissent rather than address legitimate grievances,” Atiku said.

Atiku urged all Nigerians to speak out against the stifling of opposition voices, emphasizing the importance of protecting democratic freedoms.

“This administration must understand that dissent is not disloyalty,” Atiku stated. “The path to national unity and progress lies in embracing constructive criticism, not silencing it.”

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