The National Youth Leader of the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM), Mr. Akor Christian Oche (Due Process), has warned against any further attempt to prevent Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, or any opposition leader from visiting any part of the country.
Oche, in a statement reacting to the alleged blockade of Peter Obi’s convoy along the Gboko Road in Benue State, said every Nigerian has the constitutional right to move freely across the country without seeking permission from a state governor.
He maintained that notifying a state governor about planned political activities within a state should be regarded as a gesture of courtesy and cooperation, rather than a mandatory requirement that gives the governor the power to approve or reject an opposition leader’s movement.
According to him, Nigeria’s constitutional democracy cannot permit elected officials to turn states into political territories where opposition politicians require permission before exercising their fundamental rights to movement, association and political participation.
The COPDEM National Youth Leader said the alleged attempt to frustrate Peter Obi’s planned visit to the Yelwata IDP camp was particularly troubling because the visit was intended to offer solidarity to displaced Nigerians affected by insecurity.
He warned that any repetition of such an incident would attract a stronger democratic response.
“Every Nigerian has equal rights to move to every state without a permit, as guaranteed by the Constitution. Informing a state governor about political activities is an act of gesture and courtesy, not a mandatory exercise that gives the governor the power to stop anyone from entering the state.”
Oche further warned that “any further attempt to stop Peter Obi or any opposition leader from visiting any part of the country will be met with civil disobedience and resistance.”
He, however, stressed that such resistance would be pursued through peaceful and lawful democratic means, insisting that citizens must not surrender their constitutional freedoms because of political differences.
The COPDEM youth leader called on security agencies to protect the rights of all political actors equally and urged political leaders to reject the use of intimidation, thuggery and alleged unlawful mobilisation to settle political disagreements.
He also demanded accountability over the reported incident in Benue, insisting that any individual or official found to have participated in the alleged obstruction should be investigated in accordance with the law.
Oche said the 2027 political season must not become a period in which opposition parties are denied access to communities or prevented from engaging citizens.
He warned that democracy is ultimately strengthened when political competition is conducted openly and peacefully, rather than when governments allegedly deploy state influence or partisan actors to frustrate their opponents.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us. No state is a private political estate, and no governor has the constitutional authority to decide which Nigerian may enter or leave his state,” he said.
The statement was signed by Mr. Akor Christian Oche (Due Process), National Youth Leader, COPDEM.
