Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said the Edo governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, over stepped his constitutional boundaries by trying to ban the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from entering the state.
The legal body said no governor has the right to restrict a citizen of Nigeria from moving from one place to another.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), also condemned the governor’s pronouncement, saying any attempt to intimidate opposition leaders in the country will not stand.
The ADC national publicity secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi, at a press conference in Abuja, said such restriction orders have become a pattern.
But Governor Okpeholo, maintained yesterday that his remarks on Obi’s visit to the state was rooted on security concerns for the state.
Okpebholo said he did not issue any form of threat to Obi, but emphasised the need for high-profile politically exposed persons to notify and seek security clearance before embarking on any public engagements within the state.
Okpebholo, while receiving a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and PDP member in the House of Representatives, Hon Marcus Onobun, who decamped to the APC at Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, said “He (Obi) cannot come to Edo without telling me. A new Sheriff is in town. He came the other day and donated N15m. By the time he left after donating the money, there was crisis and three people died in Benin. Tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me.”
But the NBA spokesperson, Mrs Bridget Edokwe, told LEADERSHIP last night in a telephone interview that
Obi does not need a visa to enter Edo State.
She said, “The statement is, ‘politics taken too far’. The governor was wrong to have made such a statement. Mr Peter Obi is not a foreigner and therefore, does not need a visa to enter into the state.
“Every citizen has the right to movement. As far as the 1999 Constitution is concerned, everyone has the right to freedom of movement.
“Strictly speaking, section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, explicitly states that: “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.” More so, Chapter II of the same Constitution mandates the state to “… provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods and services throughout the Federation,” she said.
Reacting, the ADC spokesman, Abdullahi, said “The African Democratic Congress condemns the restriction order issued on Peter Obi. This is not the first time. It is becoming a pattern for APC governors to make the kind of pronouncements credited to Governor Okpebholo, declaring that Mr. Obi or opposition leaders are not welcome in their state. This is not democratic and it’s a very dangerous pattern. Nigeria is a free country, and every citizen of Nigeria has the right to go anywhere in this country.
“We don’t need a visa in our country. We don’t need anybody’s permission to go to any part of our country. This also speaks to an authoritarian instinct among some of these governors of the APC. And we believe that this can only get worse if it’s not nipped in the board.”
He likened the statement sounds to a monarchical pronouncement rather than a democratic statement adding that it is dangerous for democracy.
He said the ADC is alarmed and worried that such positions are being taken by governors before big political activities and campaigns start.
“The states don’t belong to them. The states belong to Nigerian people. So we are concerned and want to put it on record to every Nigerian and international community to follow what is going on in Nigeria.”
He added that since the APC-led government has failed to turn Nigeria into one-party states, their new strategy is to “intimidate and issue threats and warnings that we cannot come to their state. This is unacceptable. We will go anywhere in Nigeria that we want because Nigeria is a free country.”
Reacting however, Governor Okpeholo regretted that his remarks were given various misinterpretations and political colouration rather than the true import of his remark.
Okpebholo, in a statement by his chief press secretary, Fred Itua, said his position is particularly relevant in light of the rising attacks and abductions of religious leaders, especially Catholic priests and Christian clerics.
The statement added, “As the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, it is the Governor’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and visitors alike.
“This duty includes ensuring that adequate security measures are put in place during high-profile visits or events that may attract large crowds or media attention.”
He added that when such protocols are ignored, it creates serious security vulnerabilities, not only for the visitor but also for citizens who may be caught in avoidable threats.
“Governor Okpebholo’s position is particularly relevant in light of the rising attacks and abductions of religious leaders, especially Catholic priests and Christian clerics.
“Edo State has witnessed its share of these tragic incidents, including the abduction of seminarians and the killing of clergy in recent years.
“Public donations made to churches, hospitals, or other faith-based institutions, while noble in intent, must be approached with caution and in full consultation with the appropriate security channels, to avoid exposing these institutions and their leaders to further danger.”
The statement added that the governor’s comments on the need for discretion in public giving are rooted in both security intelligence and moral responsibility.
“The Holy Scripture reminds us that giving is best done in private, as Jesus admonished us in Matthew 6 : 2 – 4 that, “when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpet…but when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
The statement added that in today’s volatile security environment, this wisdom cannot be overstated.
“Governor Okpebholo is not Peter Obi, who, as Governor of Anambra State, detained Nasir El-Rufai when he visited.”
“Furthermore, the Governor’s concerns should not be twisted for political mileage by individuals seeking to score cheap points. The State Government will not fold its arms and allow politically motivated activities to endanger lives. We expect leaders, no matter how highly placed, to align with the protocols and security realities of the areas they visit.
“Governor Okpebholo is committed to a safe and inclusive Edo State for all. His administration is working tirelessly to address the insecurity it inherited, and his call for coordination and orderliness should be seen as a measure of responsible governance, not hostility.
The governor added that his government will continue to welcome all well-meaning Nigerians, provided appropriate security and procedural protocols are respected.
