Former aviation minister Osita Chidoka has issued a scathing rebuke of recent threats made against 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi by some state governors, warning that Nigeria is witnessing a dangerous slide toward political intolerance and constitutional breakdown reminiscent of the First Republic.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Chidoka specifically condemned comments attributed to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who warned that Obi should not visit Edo State without prior approval, stating that “his security will not be guaranteed.”
The remarks, made on Friday, July 18, sparked outrage and rekindled fears over democratic erosion and political repression.
Chidoka described such statements as unconstitutional, unlawful and emblematic of what he called “territorial authoritarianism” by subnational leaders.
He also drew attention to a similar incident in April when Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia allegedly barred Obi from visiting internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in his state.
“These threats are not only unlawful, they signal a creeping descent into regional lawlessness,” Chidoka said.
Drawing a historical parallel, Chidoka recalled how in 1964, opposition leaders from the United Progressive Grand Alliance (UPGA), including Eastern region premier Michael Okpara, were prevented from campaigning in the North.
That move contributed to a constitutional crisis and eventually helped trigger the collapse of the First Republic and military intervention in 1966.
“This is how it starts,” Chidoka warned.
“When parts of the country treat opposition as a threat, history has shown where that leads, instability and national breakdown.”
He also cited global precedents of similar intolerance, referencing the 1957 U.S. civil rights crisis in Arkansas, where the state governor defied federal desegregation laws, prompting President Dwight Eisenhower to deploy federal troops.
India’s misuse of emergency powers to stifle political dissent was also highlighted.
Chidoka questioned whether Peter Obi would have faced similar hostility had he come from a different region, noting that past opposition figures like President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari freely campaigned across the country, even during tense political periods.
“This raises an urgent question: is Nigeria’s democratic space truly open to all citizens, or only to some?” he asked.
Referencing Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees every Nigerian the right to move freely and reside anywhere in the country, Chidoka reminded governors that they do not control national security agencies and cannot lawfully restrict movement or issue threats to citizens.
“Governor Okpebholo’s statement is not just political theatre, it is unlawful intimidation and a blatant violation of constitutional rights,” he said.
The former minister called on Peter Obi to respond assertively and within the bounds of the law.
He advised the Labour Party leader to visit Edo State soon, while formally notifying the inspector general of police and director general of the Department of State Services.
And also, seek a declaratory judgement from the Federal High Court affirming his right to freedom of movement and to encourage relevant public institutions like the National Human Rights Commission, Police and the presidency to publicly clarify that no Nigerian needs a governor’s permission to travel within the country.
Chidoka also demanded that Governor Okpebholo issue a public retraction and apologise to both Peter Obi and the Nigerian people.
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, Chidoka urged political leaders to uphold democratic principles and warned against reviving the mistakes of Nigeria’s past.
“Nigeria must not relive the trauma of 1964. The rule of law must prevail, and no citizen should require permission to be Nigerian,” he concluded.
