Former Aviation Minister and political analyst, Osita Chidoka, has reacted to the threats by Monday Okpebholo and other governors against former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party leader, Mr. Peter Obi.
He recently raised alarm over the dangerous erosion of democratic values in Nigeria.
Speaking via a press statement, Chidoka blasted Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo for warning Peter Obi to not enter Edo without his approval.
According to him, Okpebholo’s comment is another disturbing pattern of territorial authoritarianism by subnational political actors in Nigeria, and it is very worrying because the threats are unconstitutional.
He stated that the opposition should always be seen as a democratic necessity, not a threat to constantly attack or intimidate.
“These threats are unconstitutional, unlawful, and signal a creeping descent into regional lawlessness.
This is how it starts. When some parts of the country begin to treat political opposition as a threat instead of a democratic necessity, history has shown us where it leads: to instability and collapse,” he said.
He further questioned whether such threats would have been issued if Peter Obi hailed from a different region, stressing that past opposition figures like President Bola Tinubu and Buhari freely campaigned across Nigeria without harassment.
He concluded by saying that Governor Okpebholo’s statement borders on unlawful intimidation, and it proves that Nigeria is no longer a democratic space for all citizens.
“This raises an uncomfortable but urgent question: is Nigeria’s democratic space truly open to all citizens, or only to some?
Governor Okpebholo’s statement goes beyond political theatre; it borders on unlawful intimidation and unconstitutional behavior.
Nigeria must not relive the mistakes of 1964. The rule of law must prevail, and no citizen should require permission to be Nigerian,” he added.
