Prominent Nigerian senator and South East leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has decried what he described as the unconstitutional restriction placed on former presidential candidate and ex-governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, by the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebolo.
Speaking via a strongly worded statement released in Abuja, Abaribe warned that barring any Nigerian citizen from entering or moving within a state amounts to a “direct assault on constitutional democracy” and undermines national unity.
The senator, who once served as the Senate Minority Leader and now chairs the South East Senate Caucus, said it was deeply troubling that a state governor — and a former lawmaker — would seek to exercise powers not granted by the Nigerian Constitution.
“It is unacceptable and legally baseless for any governor to demand that a Nigerian seek permission to enter a state or claim that their safety cannot be guaranteed,” Abaribe said.
He cautioned that such actions set a dangerous precedent, risking further division in a country already grappling with issues of national cohesion.
Highlighting the constitutional guarantee of freedom of movement, the senator stated, “We must never lose sight of the fact that Nigeria operates under a rule-of-law system. Any attempt to circumvent this threatens not only individuals but the very foundation of our democratic experiment.”
Abaribe also expressed concern for Obi’s safety, saying, “I pray nothing happens to him. Leaders must act responsibly, not emotionally, especially when dealing with political opponents.”
He urged President Tinubu’s government to reaffirm the constitutional rights of all citizens and cautioned politicians against exploiting their positions for political gain or vendetta.
