As we step into 2025, the Nigerian political landscape is once again filled with dramatic spectacles and comical interludes. These have become a hallmark of our political space, where sharp political exchanges and commentary are now routine. In an environment where almost everything can be politicised, it is no surprise that the brewing controversy between Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, and Mr. Felix Morka, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is evolving into yet another national debacle. This feud is no longer limited to the clash between the ‘Obidients’ and the leadership of the ruling party; it is now resonating throughout the entire nation.
While many might hesitate to admit it, the root of this conflict lies in the bitter division that characterised the political battles of 2023, which continue to fester. There are still those whose disappointment in the election outcome drives them to seek extreme measures, attempting to undermine the government at all costs simply because their preferred candidate is not in power. On the opposite side, we have the sometimes overzealous supporters of the ruling party, who fail to recognise that taunting those whose egos were bruised by the election and the court rulings is not the solution to achieving peace or promoting unity. To me, this explains why we are once again witnessing a needless feud between the esteemed political figure, Obi, and the highly-regarded APC’s spokesperson, Morka.
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Last week, I acknowledged the fact that the government would be doing itself a disservice by ignoring the issues raised by Obi in his New Year message to Nigerians. In that message, Obi highlighted several pertinent issues that the government should either address with verifiable data or explain why the bleak picture he painted of Nigeria cannot be accepted. In any functioning democracy, it is the responsibility of the opposition to hold the government accountable. It is not uncommon for the opposition to depict a scenario of chaos and accuse the ruling party of neglecting the people’s concerns. After all, politics is never a one-way street where the government is guaranteed praise. For this reason, I see no fault in Obi’s call for the government to address issues that would improve the lives of Nigerians, who have suffered through painful economic reforms, leaving many of them in a far worse situation than they ever imagined.
Truth, though often painful, is not something we should shy away from. I would be the first to admit that Obi, on several occasions, has used questionable data to support his narrative, particularly leading up to the 2023 election. At times, he did miss the mark in his attempts to appease his supporters. However, I struggle to understand the outrage over his recent New Year message, which should, by all accounts, be a standard practice. Was anyone truly expecting Obi, who is a presidential hopeful for 2027, to highlight the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government? Would anyone have expected Atiku Abubakar to laud Tinubu’s 18 months in office? If not, then why should Obi’s critique be met with such hostile, bile-filled reactions from spokespersons or presidential aides?
Let us examine the facts. Obi raised alternative perspectives on key governance issues in Nigeria. There’s a Yoruba saying that aptly captures the essence of his message: “We cannot all sleep and face the same direction.” Looking back at Obi’s statement, I do acknowledge that some of the data he presented seemed hollow and overstated. For instance, his claim that over 100 million Nigerians live in extreme poverty, with an additional 150 million suffering from multidimensional poverty, raises valid questions about the accuracy of these figures, especially since the country’s total population is currently 223.8 million. However, beyond this, Obi was right in bringing attention to critical concerns regarding food security, energy challenges, and the mounting national debt.
Last week, I wrote: “He raised a few pressing questions. For example, is Nigeria grappling with an escalating food insecurity crisis? Has any solution been found for the persistent energy supply problems, including frequent grid collapses? Is corruption still pervasive in our system? Is the national debt truly over N100 trillion, up from about N15 trillion in 2015? Are Nigerians safer now than they were on May 29, 2023? Should we take Obi seriously when he says Nigeria’s fortunes are in clear decline? And is it true that the newly approved minimum wage of N70,000 can’t even buy a bag of rice?” These critiques call for vigilance but also underline the importance of fostering constructive dialogue to address the valid concerns they highlight. These issues stem from years of ineffective governance. We cannot deny the failure of leadership that has left many Nigerians impoverished. Fortunately, Tinubu has pledged to change this narrative, but this will require difficult decisions in policy and governance.”
Perhaps the firestorm could have been avoided had Morka chosen his words more carefully in his response to Obi’s New Year message during an interview on Arise Television, which triggered the latest confrontation. As the elders say, “Words are like eggs dropped from great heights; once they fall, you cannot take them back.” Unfortunately, Morka’s remark that “Obi has crossed the line many times, and whatever is coming to him, he should manage it” was, at best, unhelpful and, at worst, deeply uncouth. It’s my firm belief that those who manage our politicians, whether as spokespersons or media consultants, should avoid joining them in throwing tantrums or making veiled threats. Though Morka has since denied threatening Obi’s life or family, challenging Obi to produce evidence, the public backlash has been swift, with many taking this as an opportunity to stoke the flames of controversy.
This is compounded by the meddlesome involvement of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Atiku, in an apparent attempt to score political points, declared that Morka’s comments amounted to threats and used the occasion to attack his perennial political adversary, President Tinubu. Atiku claimed that Morka’s statements pointed to a “shift toward authoritarian governance.” In the same breath, Atiku criticised Morka’s words, calling them “disgraceful” and suggesting that they represented an attack on democratic principles. Atiku’s call for the government to respect dissent and engage in meaningful dialogue would be more credible if he acknowledged that he himself has not always adhered to these values. After all, it was Atiku who, after the announcement of the 2023 presidential election results, referred to Tinubu using unprintable terms, even labeling him a drug lord.
Atiku’s statement also raised the question of why he has failed to condemn those who have allegedly threatened Morka and his family over the same issue. If Tinubu truly sought to stifle dissent, why has he not made an example of those who continue to make unfounded allegations against him and his associates, even after the courts have ruled in his favour? The question remains: when will this madness end?
What is clear as this situation unfolds is that the dispute between Peter Obi and Felix Morka highlights the growing divisions within Nigeria’s political scene. However, the solution does not lie in exacerbating an already fraught situation. There is always a better way to address such matters, provided both parties are willing to embrace common sense. Politics should not be so fiercely combative if the ultimate goal is to improve the lives of the people. With empathy, dialogue, and a commitment to finding common ground, this dispute can be resolved. Morka has already provided context for his contentious statement, and it is clear there are better ways to express grievances without resorting to offensive language. Both parties must now focus on peace, avoiding personal attacks, and addressing the issues at hand. This is the way politics should be played. If politicians in Nigeria can cultivate a culture of respectful, constructive dialogue and adhere to democratic principles, the country will see less of the divisiveness that has hindered progress for far too long. Are we ready for this shift? Only time will tell.
