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Prominent activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has expressed grave concern over the safety of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, following allegations that his life was threatened due to his outspoken criticism of the current administration.
Obi had recently claimed that he had been targeted after criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s government, with Felix Morka, national spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing Obi of “crossing the line” and hinting at possible consequences.
Adeyanju took to X (formerly Twitter), condemning any threats or attempts to persecute Obi, who has been vocal in opposing government policies.
“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,” Adeyanju wrote. “Criticizing and holding the government accountable cannot be a crime but must be commended as the greatest sign of patriotism.”
Adeyanju also warned that Nigeria is sliding toward a “full-blown dictatorship” and cautioned against the emergence of a one-party state.
Meanwhile, a Labour Party chieftain, Marcel Ngogbehei, also spoke out, urging President Tinubu to intervene and caution Morka. Ngogbehei, who is also the Director General of the Labour Party Directorate of Mobilization and Integration, stated that Morka’s recent comments went beyond political rivalry and posed a direct threat to Nigeria’s democracy, peace, and unity.
In an open letter, Ngogbehei reminded President Tinubu of the freedoms he enjoyed during his time in opposition and questioned why Obi should be threatened for expressing his opinions on the state of the nation.
“The statements, which target H.E. Peter Obi, go beyond political rivalry and pose a direct threat to our democracy, peace, and unity,” Ngogbehei wrote. “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.”
Ngogbehei urged Tinubu to publicly reprimand Morka within seven days, emphasizing that such action would reaffirm the administration’s commitment to democratic values, peace, and stability.
“Should Your Excellency choose not to act decisively, 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 concluded.
