Obidient Movement, Odinkalu Flay Okpebholo’s Order Banning Peter Obi From Coming To Edo

By Ayodele Oni

The Obidient Movement has observed that the order by the Edo state Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to ban Peter Obi from entering Edo is against the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The Movement noted with deep concern a circulating video in which the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Monday Okpebholo, allegedly warns His Excellency Peter Obi never to set foot in Edo State again without pre informing him.

Also, in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), human rights lawyer and former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, condemned the governor’s outburst, describing it as a clear reflection of the tragic state of Nigerian politics.

Obidients stated that “For the avoidance of doubt, Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees the right of every Nigerian citizen to move freely and reside in any part of the country.

A statement signed by Nana Kazaure, Director Strategic Communications, Obidient Movement stated that “It is therefore disturbing and constitutionally indefensible for Governor Okpebholo to threaten or seek to restrict this fundamental right.

“Even more troubling is the pattern emerging from such dangerous utterances. This is not an isolated incident. We recall a similar threat previously issued by the Governor of Benue State against the person of His Excellency Mr. Obi.

“In both instances, Peter Obi was on missions of goodwill and charity- offering humanitarian support to citizens neglected by the very governors and government now issuing these threats.

“We wish to alert Nigerians and the international community that these threats should not be dismissed lightly. Should anything untoward happen to His Excellency Peter Obi, Nigerians should know where to look.

“These governors are the chief security officers of their respective states, and their utterances carry weight – not just in words, but in potential consequences.

“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to speak out against this descent into political intolerance and recklessness. Nigeria belongs to all of us.

“No individual, no matter how highly placed, should attempt to fan the embers of division or incite violence with careless, unlawful rhetoric.”

Odinkalu declared that “You can like or choose not to like @PeterObi, but a state governor threatening a private citizen unprovoked is the tragic pass in which #Nigerian politics finds itself at. It is tragically condemnable.”