President Bola Tinubu has been urged to call Governor Monday Okpebholo to order for declaring Peter Obi persona non grata in Edo State.
Olisa Metuh, the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement on Sunday pleaded with Tinubu to call some state governors including Okpebholo to order over their utterances.
“I have been recuperating from a spinal procedure, but I have just read the disturbing news that the elected Governor of Edo state, who is otherwise a decent and distinguished senator, has banned a fellow Nigerian from visiting his state. We first read about such undemocratic practice from a Governor from the North Central Zone,” Metuh wrote on X.
“Whilst one understands the zeal to prove wholesome support and loyalty to our president, it is incontrovertible that these acts, completely go against the bedrock and grundnorm of democratic governance, and are antithetical to the constitutionally guaranteed inalienable right to freedom and liberty irrespective of political beliefs or associations.
“I strongly believe that President Bola Tinubu, who as a fearless democrat fought the military and stood up to perceived wrongs even in this democracy would not subscribe to such wrongful practice.
“We remember the Governor Bola Tinubu who ran a widely acclaimed all-inclusive cabinet/government, and made Lagos home for all Nigerians then.”
However, according to Metuh, these actions by some of our governors are capable of ruining such democratic credentials, especially if unchecked.
The lawyer lamented that sadly, so many of our leaders have kept mute either on account of political correctness or for fear of personal reprisals or possible exclusion in the sharing of political appointments or perhaps in their quest for plain material benefits.
Such leaders, Metuh argued, must know that beyond their personal ambitions and pursuits, the protection of our democracy, particularly, the preservation of the right to liberty, freedom and life of every citizen remain sacrosanct.
He stated that some individuals cannot afford to make a set of people believe that they are second class or inferior citizens with only discretionary rights.
“I, therefore most respectfully, call on Mr. President as the father of the nation and chief custodian of our constitutional democracy to check this very disturbing trend by calling these governors to order,” Metuh said.
“Let Nigeria truly belong to all citizens and may all persons be accorded their freedom and liberties across the land.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
