The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) categorically condemns the troubling directive issued by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, demanding that Mr. Peter Obi—Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections—obtain “security clearance” prior to entering the state.

This pronouncement, made in the context of welcoming federal lawmaker Marcus Onobun into the All Progressives Congress (APC), irresponsibly linked Obi’s visit to a spate of violence, including the recent killing of three individuals. These claims were made without any substantiating evidence, casting a dangerous and unjustified shadow over a political figure’s constitutional right to free movement.

Of particular concern is the pattern of hostility emerging from APC leadership. In January 2025, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka reportedly declared on national television that Peter Obi “has crossed the line so many times and has what’s coming to him.” Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State echoed similar sentiments just months ago, warning that any visitor to his state without prior approval would not be guaranteed safety.

These statements, and the troubling behavior they represent, form a disturbing precedent. Weaponizing state power against opposition voices undermines Nigeria’s democratic framework and violates fundamental constitutional protections. Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria expressly guarantees the freedom of movement for all citizens, including Mr. Obi. No governor possesses the legal authority to restrict this right without a valid court order.

Governors are not gatekeepers to territories—they are elected public servants. It is deeply unfortunate that, rather than addressing actual security threats such as cultism, kidnapping, and armed violence, governors are choosing to issue politically motivated proclamations that target opposition figures and stifle democratic engagement.

Even more concerning is the blatant hypocrisy. These same governors frequently assert that they have no operational control over federal security agencies, yet they conveniently invoke their roles as Chief Security Officers when seeking to suppress dissenting voices.

CHRICED reminds the public and relevant stakeholders that Nigeria is a democratic state, not a fiefdom of any party or individual. Frequent inter-state travel by political leaders, including sitting governors and former presidents, is a norm in the country. Singling out Mr. Obi for punitive restrictions sets a dangerous and unacceptable precedent.

We therefore call on Governor Okpebholo to immediately retract this unconstitutional directive and recommit to democratic principles by respecting the rights of all Nigerians—regardless of political affiliation—to move freely across the federation without hindrance or intimidation.

We also urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action to curb the authoritarian tendencies taking root among APC governors and to uphold his pledge to preserve Nigeria as a pluralist, multi-party democracy.

Finally, CHRICED calls on the judiciary, civil society actors, and human rights defenders to resist any attempt to shrink Nigeria’s democratic space. Democracy is not the preserve of those in power; it belongs to the people.

Nigeria belongs to us all. The Constitution—not political fear-mongering—must prevail.

Signed,

Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi

Executive Director