Former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, has urged President Bola Tinubu to call state governors to order over a rising pattern of stopping opposition leaders’ from entering their states.
Metuh said this againsts the backdrop of Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo’s ban on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from entering the state without security clearance.
Metuh, who resigned from PDP and partisan politics in 2022, commented on his Facebook page, describing the governor’s pronouncement as undemocratic and “antithetical to the constitutionally guaranteed inalienable right to freedom and liberty” of citizens irrespective of political beliefs or associations.
In his post entitled “Mr President, Please Call Some State Governors To Order”, Metuh who said he had been recuperating from a spinal procedure, noted that the news of the governor banning a fellow Nigerian from visiting his state was disturbing.
“We first read about such undemocratic practice from a Governor from the North Central Zone.
“Whilst one understands the zeal to prove wholesome support and loyalty to our president, it is incontrovertible that these acts, completely go against the bedrock and grundnorm of democratic governance, and are antithetical to the constitutionally guaranteed inalienable right to freedom and liberty irrespective of political beliefs or associations.
“I strongly believe that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who as a fearless democrat fought the military and stood up to perceived wrongs even in this democracy would not subscribe to such wrongful practice.
“We remember the Governor Bola Tinubu who ran a widely acclaimed all-inclusive cabinet/government, and made Lagos home for all Nigerians then.
“However, these actions by some of our governors are capable of ruining such democratic credentials, especially if unchecked.”
Metuh said it is sad that so many leaders have kept mute because of political correctness, fear of personal reprisals, exclusion in the sharing of political appointments or in their quest for plain material benefits.
“Such leaders must know that beyond their personal ambitions and pursuits, the protection of our democracy, particularly, the preservation of the right to liberty, freedom and life of every citizen remains sacrosanct.”
Metuh however cautioned that leaders cannot afford to make a set of people believe that they are second class or inferior citizens with only discretionary rights.
“I, therefore most respectfully, call on Mr. President as the father of the nation and chief custodian of our constitutional democracy to check this very disturbing trend by calling these governors to order.
“Let Nigeria truly belong to all citizens and may all persons be accorded their freedom and liberties across the land,” he said.
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