As the nation reels from the shocking statement by the Governor of Edo State, Mr Monday Okpebholo, who placed a ban on the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 General Elections, Mr Peter Obi, from coming to his state without permission, we are constrained to warn that Nigeria is heading towards a dangerous political abyss unless our leaders redirect their steps.
Okpebholo, it will be recalled, had issued a public statement warning Obi, former Anambra State Governor, from coming to his state unless he got permission from him, Okpebholo, failing which Obi’s security and safety would not be guaranteed. Obi had visited an educational institution in Edo State and given them N15m to aid their development.
Okpebholo’s statement came on the heels of a similar statement dished out by the Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, after Obi had visited internally displaced persons in Benue and given them money. He, like his Edo State counterpart, Alia, took exception to Obi’s visit and giving of succour to displaced people in his state, Benue.
Just the other day, the Governor of Kaduna State stopped those who wanted to celebrate Obi’s Birthday in his state from doing so, even though what was seen elsewhere were people giving alms and sweeping streets to commemorate Obi’s Birthday.
Ordinarily, Obi’s gestures should not be posing any problems to anyone, being that they are actions in aid of humanity. But like most things in Nigeria, they are being given political coloration and these men are seeking to stop such gestures even when they favour their own people.
But beyond stopping such actions, the governors are sending a dangerous message which invites violence. Every Nigerian is guaranteed certain freedoms and they include freedom of movement as long as it stays within the confines of the law. And there is no law yet that forbids anyone from helping others.
By issuing the kind of statement he made, Okpebholo and others like him are fanning the embers of discord and anarchy in a country already sharply divided along ethnic lines. In a situation where anything happens to Obi and retaliations by his supporters follow, one can imagine the kind of chaos that will take place. Thus, these statements coming from people who should be leading by example are very disturbing and disappointing.
And that they are emanating from Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is cause for more bother. This is like trying to heat up the polity unnecessarily and it should not be encouraged. We align therefore with the call on Mr President of Nigeria to call his men to order.
Everything should not be politics. What is happening now, if not checked, can lead to broader issues of unimaginable proportions in the future. In the past, similar things that started like jokes had later snowballed into dire consequences.
It may be Peter today but who knows who it may be tomorrow and the form it may take. There are more important things to tackle in this country than looking for people to ban from entering certain states. This is dangerous politics.
