The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo over his order restricting the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Okpebholo prohibited Obi from entering the state on Friday, citing safety concerns.
The ADC condemned the restriction order on Sunday, calling it unacceptable and a threat to democracy.
ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that such actions are becoming a troubling trend among APC governors.
He emphasised that the party is alerting both Nigerians and the world community about the situation, stating that every Nigerian has the right to freely move throughout all states because the entire country belongs to all of its residents.
Abdullahi stated, “The African Democratic Congress condemns the restriction order issued on Peter Obi.
“This is not the first time. It is becoming a pattern for APC governors to make the kind of pronouncements credited to Governor Okpebholo, declaring that Mr. Obi or opposition leaders are not welcome in their state.
“This is not democratic, and it’s a very dangerous pattern. Nigeria is a free country, and every citizen of Nigeria has the right to go anywhere in this country.
“We don’t need a visa in our country. We don’t need anybody’s permission to go to any part of our country.“
The ADC criticised some APC governors for their authoritarian behaviour, comparing it to a monarchical declaration.
The party expressed concern that such actions were already taking place before major political activities began.
He continued, “We have not started campaigns, and already our governors are saying that some leaders of our parties are not welcome in their respective states.
“The states don’t belong to them. The states belong to the Nigerian people.
“So we are concerned and want to put it on record to every Nigerian and the international community to follow what is going on in Nigeria.”
“Having failed to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, now the strategy is to begin to intimidate and issue threats and warnings that we cannot come to their states.
“This is unacceptable. We will go anywhere in Nigeria that we want because Nigeria is a free country.”
