By Damilola Olufemi and Fatimah Idera
A recent statement by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, warning Peter Obi not to enter the state without obtaining prior security clearance, has sparked controversy and debate.
Renowned lawyer and professor at Afe Babalola University, Prof. Sesan Fabamise, has weighed in on the issue, describing the governor’s demand as ‘null and void’ and ‘politically tone-deaf.’ He emphasised that the statement is not only illegal but also unconstitutional, as it contravenes sections 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantee every citizen’s fundamental right to freedom of assembly and movement.
“Such a statement is not worth more than the breeze that blew it out of his mouth as it is null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” Prof Fabamise said.
Abdulateef Ahmad, a political analyst at New Central TV, also echoed this sentiment, stating that there is no statute in Nigeria’s constitution that requires a citizen to obtain permission before entering any part of the country.
Democratic backsliding
Ahmad warned that the governor’s statement is part of a larger trend of coordinated hostility towards Obi and his supporters, which he described as “democratic backsliding.”
“These gestures, whether subtle or blunt, only signal a shrinking civic space. They suggest that liberty is now conditional and that the powers that be are increasingly allergic to dissent or even symbolic gatherings,” Ahmad said.
Potential consequences
The analyst noted that such statements could have significant effects the state and Nigeria at large, potentially fueling partisan tensions and breeding resentment.
“2027 might just be the year when many voters say, ‘Enough’ At the national level, it damages the image of political tolerance that democracy demands,” Ahmad said.
During a political rally in Uromi, Governor Okpebholo delivered a stern message: Obi is not allowed to enter Edo without informing the governor, citing concerns that his prior visit—including a ₦15 million donation to St. Philomena College of Nursing Sciences in Benin City, was followed by unrest.
According to the governor, “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’… came and dropped ₦15 million. By the time he left… three people died in Benin. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance,” he declared.
“There’s a new sheriff in town. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking.”
Okpebholo later clarified his stance during the launch of Edo Line on July 22, emphasizing that his remarks were advisory—not a threat—and reiterated his duty as the state’s Chief Security Officer to protect lives.
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