Former Governor of Anambra State and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has stated that no person or group has the authority to prevent him from visiting any part of Nigeria, emphasising that freedom of movement is a constitutional right of every citizen.
Obi made the remark while responding to a recent incident in Benin City and reactions on social media warning him against travelling to certain areas of the country.
He spoke during a visit to Peter University in Achina, Anambra State.
The former governor maintained that being a Nigerian grants him the right to travel freely within the country without intimidation or restriction.
“I am a Nigerian and I am free to go anywhere in this country. That constitutional right cannot be denied to me by anyone,” he said.
Obi further revealed that he recently travelled to Rivers State despite advice urging him to cancel the trip, explaining that the visit was in honour of an earlier invitation he had received shortly after the Benin incident.
On his political future, Obi reaffirmed his intention to participate in the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the African Democratic Congress.
He noted that his ambition was not driven by personal desire for power but by his commitment to seeing the country function effectively.
“I am not desperate to become Nigeria’s President, but I want to see Nigeria work,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria requires far-reaching reforms capable of expanding opportunities for citizens while strengthening the nation’s institutions.
He added that the country should provide a system where individuals can succeed based on merit rather than connections.
Obi also explained that his decision to exit the Labour Party and join the African Democratic Congress followed the leadership crisis within the party and concerns over how court judgments linked to the dispute were managed.
He said those developments influenced his decision to seek another political platform ahead of the next election cycle.
