Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, has criticized the recent remarks by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, requiring Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to obtain security clearance before visiting the state.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, Metuh described the governor’s stance as undemocratic and urged President Bola Tinubu to caution governors against trampling on citizens’ constitutional rights.
Metuh’s statement followed Governor Okpebholo’s comments made during the reception of former federal lawmaker, Marcus Onobun, into the All Progressives Congress.
The governor had linked Obi’s recent visit to Benin, where he donated N15 million to a nursing school, with an outbreak of violence in the state.
“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped N15m. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance,” Okpebholo said.
In his response, Metuh expressed concern over what he called a threat to democratic values and fundamental freedoms.
“I have been recuperating from a spinal procedure, but have just read the disturbing news that the elected Governor of Edo State, who is otherwise a decent and distinguished senator, has banned a fellow Nigerian from visiting his state,” Metuh wrote.
He warned against normalizing such actions, citing a similar instance involving another governor from the North Central zone.
“Whilst one understands the zeal to prove wholesome support and loyalty to our president, it is incontrovertible that these acts, completely go against the bedrock and grundnorm of democratic governance, and are antithetical to the constitutionally guaranteed inalienable right to freedom and liberty irrespective of political beliefs or associations,” Metuh stated.
He called on President Tinubu to disassociate from such actions and instead promote the inclusive governance he was once known for as governor of Lagos.
“We remember the Governor Bola Tinubu who ran a widely acclaimed all-inclusive cabinet/government, and made Lagos home for all Nigerians then,” he added.
Metuh lamented the silence of political elites in the face of such developments, suggesting it could harm Nigeria’s democratic foundation.
“Sadly, so many of our leaders have kept mute either on account of political correctness or for fear of personal reprisals or possible exclusion in the sharing of political appointments or perhaps in their quest for plain material benefits,” he said.
He concluded with a passionate plea to the president: “Let Nigeria truly belong to all citizens and may all persons be accorded their freedom and liberties across the land.”
