Activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has issued a stern warning to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against causing harm or persecuting Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

Obi made the serious allegation on Monday that his life is under threat after he criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The allegations followed comments made by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, during an interview on Arise TV. Morka had said, “Peter Obi has crossed the line so many times and has it coming to him whatever he gets,” while also labeling Obi as an “irrational being.”

The former governor of Anambra State had recently used his New Year’s message on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, to criticize the president, accusing Tinubu of entrenching corruption in government and normalizing nepotism during his tenure. Obi also expressed frustration over the ongoing hardship in the country.

In response to these developments, Adeyanju condemned the alleged threats to Peter Obi, urging that no harm or persecution should come his way.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Adeyanju emphasized that criticizing the government and holding it accountable should not be seen as a crime but as an essential part of patriotism.

He said, “I condemn the threat to HE Peter Obi’s life for being a vocal voice of opposition in Nigeria. No harm or persecution must come to him. Criticizing and holding the government accountable cannot be a crime but must be commended as the greatest sign of patriotism.”

Adeyanju further warned, “Nigeria is sinking into a full-blown dictatorship and a one-party state before our very eyes, and all the concerns of HE Peter Obi are timely and spot on.”

Marcel Ngogbehei, the Director General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, has urged President Bola Tinubu to publicly reprimand Felix Morka, the spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC), over his alleged threat to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

Ngogbehei emphasized that such a public intervention is crucial to demonstrate the President’s dedication to democratic principles, ensuring peace and stability, and upholding international democratic standards.

The Labour Party leader expressed concerns over Morka’s recent statements, which he argued had escalated beyond political rivalry and were now a direct threat to the nation’s democracy, peace, and unity.

Morka had, during an interview on Arise Television on Sunday, claimed that Peter Obi had “crossed the line” in his recent criticism of President Tinubu’s government.

He further suggested that Obi was attempting to incite Nigerians against the current government, finishing with a veiled threat: “he has coming to him whatever he gets.”

In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu on Tuesday, Ngogbehei reminded the President of the freedoms he enjoyed during his days in opposition and questioned why Obi would face threats for merely voicing his opinions on national issues.

He wrote, “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.”

Ngogbehei continued, addressing the President directly: “Your Excellency, you are uniquely positioned to appreciate the significance of a vibrant opposition in a democratic system. Your own political career is a testament to the critical role opposition plays in ensuring accountability, fostering development, and strengthening democracy.”

He further reminded Tinubu of his own experiences in opposition, stating, “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.”

Ngogbehei argued that Morka’s statements not only threatened Obi’s safety but also undermined the values of free speech, constructive criticism, and political diversity. “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.”

He warned that failure to act would send a dangerous message, stating, “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.”

Ngogbehei added, “Such a stance would contradict the global tenets of democratic governance and tarnish Nigeria’s reputation as a nation striving to strengthen its democratic institutions.”

He urged the President to distance his administration from rhetoric or actions that threaten free speech, suppress opposition, or endanger political leaders. “Leadership, Your Excellency, demands the courage to defend democracy not just in words but through action.”

Finally, Ngogbehei appealed to Tinubu’s sense of leadership, asserting, “As a leader who has greatly benefited from Nigeria’s democratic system, you are in a unique position to champion and protect the right to opposition and free speech. By taking swift and public action to caution Mr. Felix Morka, you will reaffirm your administration’s commitment to these values and set a precedent for political conduct in Nigeria.”

Ngogbehei expressed trust in Tinubu’s wisdom and leadership to act in the nation’s best interests and to safeguard the strength, inclusivity, and resilience of Nigeria’s democracy.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised serious concerns regarding inflammatory comments made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson, Felix Morka, about Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the last general elections.

Atiku expressed his concerns on Tuesday, emphasizing the potential risks to democracy posed by these comments, as well as the ongoing detention of Mahdi Shehu.

In a statement, Atiku Abubakar said, “The inflammatory remarks issued by the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, directed at @PeterObi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, serve as a disturbing emblem of the current administration’s unsettling strategy in addressing opposition figures.”

He further stated, “This threat against Obi, coupled with the prolonged detention of Mahdi Shehu, a prominent voice of dissent and others, signals a worrisome shift towards an authoritarian governance model, where the rights of opposition voices are being suffocated. The choice of words used by the APC’s spokesperson, particularly the ominous suggestion that Obi has ‘crossed the line,’ reveals an alarming disdain for democratic principles. Such language, rooted in hostility, has no place in a free society where civil discourse and engagement should reign supreme.”

Atiku emphasized that a thriving democracy depends on the free exchange of ideas and constructive criticism, which are essential for good governance.

He said, “A true democracy thrives on the healthy exchange of ideas, where the criticisms and contributions of opposition leaders, like Peter Obi, are seen as vital for the betterment of governance and the promotion of public accountability. It is not merely the right, but the solemn duty of a democratic government to listen attentively to the voices of its critics, to engage in meaningful dialogue, and to allow space for the articulation of alternative viewpoints.”

Atiku questioned the motives behind Morka’s statement, asking, “What, exactly, does Mr. Morka imply by this? It is imperative that the ruling party provides clarity on this disturbing insinuation.”

He also criticized the language used by the APC spokesperson, saying, “Equally troubling is the crude and disparaging manner in which the APC spokesperson has framed Peter Obi’s calls for constructive engagement, likening them to a lawless Wild West scenario. Such reckless and derogatory expressions cannot be tolerated, and it is incumbent upon the APC to issue a formal apology to Obi and the Nigerian people for such disgraceful language.”

In addition, Atiku highlighted the case of Mahdi Shehu, who remains in detention, saying, “The case of Mallam Shehu, languishing in detention without any clear explanation for his continued imprisonment, adds to the growing concern about the erosion of freedoms in Nigeria. If there is anyone who has truly ‘crossed the line,’ it is the Tinubu administration, whose continuous vilification of opposition figures as mere irritants to be crushed is a dangerous precedent.”

Atiku concluded by urging all Nigerians who value democracy to intervene, stating, “It is now time for all men and women of goodwill to intervene, urging the @officialABAT government to recalibrate its approach to dealing with dissent and opposition. The time has come to put an end to this stifling of voices that are crucial to the health of any functioning democracy.”

A Federal High Court in Abuja has directed Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, the state House of Assembly, and other parties involved in a suit filed by the 18 suspended local council chairmen to maintain the status quo.

The ruling was delivered yesterday by Justice Emeka Nwite after a motion ex-parte was filed by the plaintiffs’ counsel, Anderson Asemota.

Asemota had told the court that the council chairmen were suspended by the Edo State House of Assembly, and the resolution was sent to Governor Okpebholo for approval.

He argued that the motion sought an order for all parties in the case to maintain the situation as it was on December 15, 2024, referencing a Supreme Court ruling in July 2024 which had declared that governors do not have the authority to suspend elected local government chairmen.

According to Asemota, the suspension resulted from a dispute between the chairmen and the governor over the operation of a joint account, which the Supreme Court had ruled against.

He further argued that the plaintiffs had approached the court to resolve the matter legally rather than resorting to self-help.

In his submission, Asemota requested the court to maintain the status quo from December 15, 2024, and to prevent the governor from enforcing the House of Assembly’s suspension resolution.

He emphasized the urgency of the matter, pointing out that the suspension order was made on December 17, 2024.

The lawyer also presented evidence from the Supreme Court’s judgment, an order from the Edo State High Court, and comments from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, regarding the suspension.

Justice Nwite, after considering the motion and the evidence, stated that extreme caution was necessary in granting such reliefs.

He ruled that the parties should maintain the status quo until the substantive motion is heard and determined.

The court ordered that the parties refrain from making any changes to the current situation.

Meanwhile, a rights group, the Concerned Civil Society Organisations of Edo State, has condemned the suspension of the council chairmen by the Edo State House of Assembly.

The group, led by spokesperson Ogbidi Emmanuel, described the action as a violation of democratic principles.

They argued that the suspension and impeachment did not follow proper legislative procedures and were unfounded in the history of democracy.

The group made these remarks during a press briefing held to address the recent developments in the state.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West), has announced that January 31 is the tentative date for the passage of the N49.7 trillion budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

Senator Adeola shared this information during a meeting with the chairpersons of various Senate standing committees in Abuja.

He explained that the date is set for the laying of the final reports on the budget before both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had presented the N49.7 trillion Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly on December 18, 2024, urging lawmakers to expedite the process.

The bill has already passed the second reading in both chambers of the National Assembly.

Senator Adeola acknowledged that the timeline for consideration and passage of the budget is tight but emphasized the need to make the best efforts.

He also confirmed that budget defense by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) will begin today, January 7, and that reports from various Senate committees will be submitted between January 15 and 18.

“After that, the Appropriations Committee will collate and finalize the reports, with the hope of laying the final budget report before the Senate on January 31,” said Senator Adeola.

“However, this date is provisional and meant to guide our work.”

Similarly, the House of Representatives will begin its budget defense session with MDAs today.

Hon. Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, also addressed the media following an inaugural meeting with House committee chairs on Monday.

He stated that the House aims to harmonize reports from the budget defense by January 22, with the final report expected to be presented to the House on January 31.