Former Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka Condemns Governor Okpebholo's Warning to Peter Obi as Assault on Democracy

 

A heated political confrontation has erupted following recent remarks by Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, warning former presidential candidate Peter Obi to stay out of the state unless he seeks prior authorization. The stern caution, issued earlier in July, drew sharp criticism on Wednesday from Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation, who described the statement as a disturbing sign of democratic decline.

Chidoka issued a strongly worded statement condemning Governor Okpebholo’s warning as not only unconstitutional but also indicative of an alarming trend among subnational leaders acting with undue territorial authority. He argued that these threats reflect a growing sense of authoritarianism within certain states, targeting opposition figures and stifling free political engagement.

Without directly referencing the reason for Okpebholo's hostility toward Obi, Chidoka warned that such tactics are deeply dangerous for a democratic society. According to him, the idea that a sitting governor would claim the right to decide who may or may not visit a state flies in the face of constitutional freedoms guaranteed to all Nigerian citizens.

“What we are witnessing,” Chidoka stated, “is the erosion of democratic principles by governors who feel emboldened to suppress dissent and control political narratives within their jurisdictions. This goes against the spirit of the Nigerian Constitution, which assures every citizen the right to move freely and engage politically anywhere within the country.”

Governor Okpebholo had reportedly taken issue with Peter Obi’s plans to visit Edo State, warning him against doing so without first notifying the state government and receiving explicit approval. Though the details surrounding the motive for the governor’s directive remain unclear, it has sparked intense backlash from both political observers and civil society groups.

This development follows a similar incident earlier in April, when Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia told Obi not to visit internally displaced persons camps in the state unless he secured prior clearance. Governor Alia cited security concerns as justification, but critics viewed it as a political maneuver to sideline the former Labour Party presidential hopeful.

Chidoka drew parallels between both instances, stating they reveal a growing tendency among some governors to behave as gatekeepers of political territory. He cautioned that if unchecked, such behavior could escalate and lead to the normalization of autocratic tendencies at state levels, posing a long-term threat to Nigeria’s fragile democratic architecture.

“The pattern is becoming unmistakable,” Chidoka warned. “State governors cannot assume the role of political landlords who determine who qualifies to engage with their constituents. That is not how democracy works. These threats are unconstitutional, unlawful, and signal a creeping descent into regional lawlessness.”

Observers have noted that this rising territorialism often coincides with political tensions at the national level, particularly involving opposition figures who continue to hold sway among large swathes of the electorate. As a result, efforts to restrict their movements or limit their influence are seen as tactical strategies by those in power to consolidate local dominance ahead of future elections.

The backlash against Governor Okpebholo’s remark has been swift, with political analysts, civil rights groups, and members of the public decrying the statement as deeply troubling. Many view the situation as part of a broader political culture in which dissenting voices are treated with suspicion, and opposition figures are marginalized through administrative overreach.

As debates continue over the legitimacy and implications of the governor's comments, Chidoka has called for a national dialogue on the limits of gubernatorial authority and the urgent need to safeguard Nigeria’s democratic institutions from further degradation.

He appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to look into the matter and clarify the constitutional boundaries of state governments in relation to the rights of citizens to move and participate in political activities. According to him, without firm action, such incidents may continue and eventually escalate into full-blown political repression.

Peter Obi has yet to respond publicly to Governor Okpebholo’s warning, though sources within the Labour Party have confirmed that he remains undeterred in his intention to visit Edo State. The party is expected to release an official statement in the coming days.

In the meantime, the unfolding situation continues to draw national attention, raising difficult but necessary questions about the future of political freedom and democratic expression in Nigeria.