A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, has warned that the alleged blockade of Peter Obi’s movement in Benue State is a dangerous threat to Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reports had emerged that youths suspected to be political thugs allegedly prevented Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, from moving freely in the state during his visit to internally displaced persons’ camps.

Reacting to the report, Okutepa said any attempt to stop a presidential candidate from moving freely and meeting voters would have serious implications for constitutional democracy if the allegation was established.

“If this allegation is true, then it portends danger to constitutional democracy and freedom of choice of the people,” the lawyer said.
Okutepa said Obi‘s right to travel across Nigeria, meet voters and seek their support was not a privilege granted by any government, political party or local authority.

He cited Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian citizen the right to move freely throughout the country. The SAN also cited Sections 39 and 40, which protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association.

He argued that the rights were particularly important during elections because candidates must be able to meet voters and present their programmes.

“A political party’s candidate cannot meaningfully exercise the democratic right to canvass for votes if he or she is prevented from entering communities, addressing citizens or associating with his supporters,” Okutepa said.

He warned that no political thug, partisan group, traditional authority or political godfather had the constitutional power to turn any part of Nigeria into a “no-go area” for a lawful candidate.

Okutepa said Nigeria remained one constitutional territory and no section of the country belonged exclusively to a political party or candidate. He added that threats, violence or intimidation against candidates should not be dismissed as ordinary political rivalry.

“Where political thugs obstruct, threaten, assault or intimidate a candidate or prevent him from campaigning, they are not merely interfering with a political activity; they are interfering with constitutionally protected rights and undermining the integrity of the electoral process,” he said.

The lawyer also warned the Federal and state governments against any action that could restrict political competition or create the impression that opposition candidates were being prevented from campaigning.

He said the government had a duty to protect all candidates and provide a peaceful and level playing field ahead of the 2027 elections.

Okutepa further explained that although Section 45 permits lawful restrictions on some fundamental rights, such restrictions must be imposed by law and be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society.

He said the provision could not be used to justify actions by political thugs or partisan groups seeking to prevent candidates from exercising their constitutional rights.

“No candidate can be constitutionally confined to his political stronghold. No political thug can determine where a Nigerian candidate may go,” he said.

Okutepa urged the authorities to ensure that all candidates could move freely, meet Nigerians and campaign for votes across the country.

“A free election requires a free candidate. A free candidate must be free to move, free to speak, free to assemble with supporters and free to ask for votes anywhere in Nigeria,” he said.

He added that preventing candidates from doing so through violence, intimidation, or unlawful government action was “not politics” but an assault on constitutional democracy.