A Lagos based Human Rights and Constitutional Lawyer, Mr. Joe Nwokedi has blasted Edo State governor, Mr. Monday Okpebholo over his ban on Peter Obi from visiting Edo State without his approval. Nwokedi described such action as “totally done in blatant ignorance and knowledge of the law.”

Nwokedi made it clear that Section 41 of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) “gives every Nigerian the unfettered right to move freely in all parts of Nigeria without any inhibition, molestation or impediment of any kind by any person or persons in the conduct of their lawful duties.”

The fiery rights advocate emphasized that Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution “guarantees the freedom of association of every citizen of Nigeria without any form of discrimination or isolation.”

He wondered why a governor of a state “who ought to know the provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that he swore to uphold during his swearing in as a governor will be acting blatantly in contrast and disobedience to that same constitution.”

The senior lawyer stated that the ultimatum by the governor “is quite embarrassing and simply exposes the governor’s ignorance of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended which he swore to uphold as a governor.”

Nwokedi questioned the “intellectual depth” of the governor, saying: “I wonder how such persons are even elected to such exalted office of the governor of a state with such intellectual deficiency and minimal knowledge of the law/constitution they usually swear to uphold and protect.”

He stated that “someone should educate the governor on the provisions of the law in case he doesn’t know of such,” adding that “Obi and all Nigerians are empowered to move freely within the territory of Nigeria insofar as they carry on their legitimate and lawful activities and programmes as law-abiding citizens.”

He also urged Obi and other citizens to disregard any threat by any governor or individual not to provide security for them to move freely, legally and legitimately in any part of Nigeria.

Nwokedi urged President Bola Tinubu “call Edo State governor to order,” even as he asked the Inspector General of Police to “ensure that Obi and all citizens are fully protected to carry on with their legitimate activities as free citizens.”

The senior lawyer also urged embassies, international organizations and agencies as well as human rights groups “to take special note of the threat to Mr. Peter Obi’s life by the Edo governor.”

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