The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong condemnation of the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, over what it described as an open and direct threat to the life and personal security of Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate.
The party expressed grave concern that a sitting governor could make such provocative statements against a prominent political figure, warning that such rhetoric poses a serious danger to Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
Governor Okpebholo had, on Friday, sparked outrage when he declared that Peter Obi’s security could not be guaranteed if he entered Edo State without first notifying him.
According to the governor, Obi’s safety could only be assured if prior notice was given to the state government — a claim that has drawn widespread condemnation as an attempt to intimidate and restrict the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens.
In response to the governor’s comments, the ADC on Sunday publicly denounced the so-called restriction and threat against Peter Obi, describing it as not only unacceptable but also a blatant violation of democratic principles.
The party emphasised that no Nigerian citizen, regardless of political affiliation, should ever be subjected to threats or conditional access to any part of the country.
While addressing journalists on the matter, the ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that this troubling development reflects a growing pattern of intolerance and authoritarianism among governors affiliated with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abdullahi noted that this was not an isolated incident but part of an emerging trend where APC governors openly make statements suggesting that opposition leaders are unwelcome in their states.
“This is the kind of pronouncement that is completely antithetical to the values of democracy,” Abdullahi stated.
“The African Democratic Congress condemns in strong terms the restriction order issued against Mr. Peter Obi. It is not the first time we are witnessing such reckless statements, and it is increasingly becoming a dangerous pattern that must not be allowed to persist.”
He further asserted that the right to free movement is enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, which grants every citizen the liberty to travel and reside anywhere within the country without seeking permission from any governor or political leader.
“Nigeria is a free country. We don’t need a visa to move from one state to another, and no citizen should be required to obtain any form of clearance to visit any part of their own country,” Abdullahi declared.
Expressing concern over the timing of such remarks, he observed that political campaigns have not even commenced officially, yet some state governors are already issuing threats and warnings targeted at opposition leaders.
“It is alarming that even before campaigns have started, some governors are declaring that certain political figures are not welcome in their domains. This is not only unconstitutional but also a grave insult to the sovereignty of the Nigerian people,” he said.
Abdullahi reiterated that states within Nigeria do not belong to individual governors but to the Nigerian people as a whole. He urged both citizens and the international community to closely watch developments in Nigeria, stressing that these anti-democratic practices could have far-reaching consequences if left unchecked.
“Having failed in their bid to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, it now appears that the new strategy is to intimidate the opposition, stifle free political engagement, and foster a climate of fear. This is unacceptable and must be resisted by all well-meaning Nigerians,” Abdullahi added.
In his final remarks, Abdullahi reaffirmed the ADC’s position that neither Peter Obi nor any opposition figure should be barred or dissuaded from moving freely across the country.
“We will not be cowed. We will go to every part of Nigeria because this is our country. The constitution guarantees us that right, and we will continue to exercise it without fear or favour,” he concluded.