A public policy expert, Mr Christopher Obasuyi, has described the recent remarks by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, warning former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, not to visit the state without permission, as not only constitutionally baseless, but profoundly undemocratic.
  
The United Kingdom-based analyst said such statements betray a troubling misunderstanding of leadership in a federal republic and suggest a dangerous descent into authoritarian posturing.
 
His words: “Let it be clearly stated, Edo State is not a personal domain, and no governor holds the power to restrict lawful movement or political engagement within the Nigerian federation.
 
“The Constitution is unambiguous; every Nigerian has the right to freedom of movement and association. Attempting to silence or intimidate political opponents only deepens public distrust in the democratic process and reveals the insecurity of those in power. Yet, on second thought, let us not vilify the governor too harshly. For in truth, he is merely a symptom of a deeper national ailment, a political culture riddled with arrogance, mediocrity, and moral decay.”

HOWEVER, legal practitioners under the Festus Ogun Legal (FOLEGAL) have asked the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebolo, to apologise to former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, within seven days or face a fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit.

The chamber said its attention was drawn to a public statement by Okpebolo threatening that Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance. A statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on July 21, 2025, also reiterated that Obi must notify and seek security clearance from Okpebholo before embarking on any public engagement within the state.

The law firm, therefore, insisted that warning Obi not to visit Edo without security clearance from the Office of the Governor is not supported by law.

It referenced Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which provides that “every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout the country and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom”.

The Managing Partner, FOLEGAL, Festus Ogun, said: “It is not within the power of the government to subject Mr Peter Obi to any form of security clearance or approval before he can visit Edo State for any purpose. It is, in fact, a gross violation of Obi’s constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of movement.”

Consequently, the law firm requested that Okpebholo retract the unconstitutional threats and tender a public apology to Obi and the good people of Nigeria.