In a move stirring political tensions, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken issue with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s recent directive barring Peter Obi, the presidential hopeful for the Labour Party in 2023, from entering Edo State without prior notification to state authorities.
Governor Okpebholo’s Friday announcement indicated that the ban was necessary due to concerns surrounding Obi’s security in the state. However, the ADC quickly labeled this justification as insufficient and a violation of the basic democratic right to freedom of movement.
Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, stated in a press briefing that the party views the governor’s proclamation as part of a growing pattern among governors from the ruling APC to suppress opposition presence in their regions.
“The African Democratic Congress condemns the restriction order issued on Peter Obi. This is not the first time,” Abdullahi remarked. “It is becoming a pattern for APC governors to make these kinds of pronouncements declaring that opposition leaders are not welcome.”
Pointing out that Nigeria’s states do not belong to individual governors but to every citizen, Abdullahi insisted that such restrictions threaten to undermine the country’s democratic foundation.
He said, “We have not started campaigns and already some governors are saying that leaders of our parties are not welcome in their states. This is unacceptable for a free country.”
The ADC urged the Nigerian populace and the international community to pay attention to such developments, which they fear may lead to increased political suppression ahead of the 2027 elections.