Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party and now a member of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has said that no individual or group can stop him from travelling to any part of the country, pointing out that every Nigerian has a constitutional right to freedom of movement.
He said this while reacting to a recent incident in Benin City and comments circulating on social media warning him against visiting certain parts of the country.
He spoke during a visit to Peter University.
Truth Live News Media recalls that on February 24, the former Anambra State governor escaped an assassination attempt at the ADC party’s secretariat at Ogbelaka, Benin, when armed thugs stormed the place shortly after him and other notable members of the party had left.
The attackers further moved to the former governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie Oyegun palatial residence to wreak havoc on some vehicles parked outside.
His gate was also riddled with pellets.
“I am a Nigerian and I am free to go to any part of this country. It is a constitutional right that nobody can take away from me,” Obi said.
Obi said that despite the controversy surrounding the Benin incident, he still honoured an earlier invitation to Rivers State shortly after the development, insisting that he would not be intimidated from attending engagements across the country.
The former governor of Anambra State also reaffirmed his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the African Democratic Congress.
“I’m not desperate to be the President of Nigeria, but I’m determined to see Nigeria work,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria needs reforms that will create opportunities for citizens and strengthen institutions that guarantee fairness and merit.
“We want a country where the son of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” Obi said.
He also explained that his decision to leave the Labour Party was influenced by internal leadership disputes within the party and concerns about the handling of court judgments related to the crisis, prompting his move to another platform ahead of the next electoral cycle.
