‘With any coalition it can happen,’ Wike defended Okpebholo’s request for permission from Obi to visit Edo

Federal Capital Region Minister (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday criticized the presidential candidate of the Labor Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, for allegedly playing politics with the government in Edo.

The Minister reacts to the controversy that follows the Governor of Monday Okpebholo to Obi about a visit to the southern-south state.

Okpebholo last Friday told the former Governor of the State Anambra not to visit the state without security permit.

“There is a new sheriff in the city. He can’t just come to Edo without telling me. His safety will not be guaranteed. If something happens to him here, he will blame himself. I am not kidding,” Okpebholo said in broadcast.

The comment has attracted the reaction of Obi’s supporters, by questioning the Governor’s right to stop the Nigerians from visiting the state of Edo.

Wike spoke during the Commissioning of the New Edo line transportation terminal in Benin City.

Also read: ‘Edo is Nobo Family Estate,’ Aisha Yesufu reprimanded Okpebholo for comments about Obi

Former Governor Rivers urged the LP Chief to stop playing to the gallery or politicizing the problem of governance.

He stressed that Okpebholo did not stop Obi from entering Edo but only asked for prior notice for security reasons.

He said: “Leadership is not easy. As a leader, you are a garbage man -people throwing all kinds of things to you. I have watched on this new television.

“I provide logistics, vehicles to be used. Because at that level, as a presidential candidate, if he does not tell you and whatever happens, the governor will be considered responsible.

“And people must stop politics when the truth is told. Obi, know fully that with the coalition they call, whatever can happen, will accuse the governor that he is behind him.”

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Freedom of Information Act and The Limits of Press Freedom, By Mack Ogbamosa – THISAGE

        Introduction  A free, independent, and vibrant press is one of the strongest pillars of any democratic society. It is against this background that most democratic countries  make constitutional provisions for a free press . Others even go further to enact specific laws to make affairs of governments freely available to the public. Currently, there are more than  130 countries in the world that have free press laws. They include Sweden, United States, France, South Africa and Nigeria. Nigeria did not only make  constitutional provisions in Sections 22 and 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution ( as amended) but also went ahead to enact the Freedom of Information Act  in 2011. Section 22 of the 1999  Constitution states: “ “The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media  shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter( ie Chapter II) and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people”  Section 39(1)  of same Constitution states : “Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference” ..  To complement these constitutional provisions, Section 1 (1) of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) states “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, law or regulation, the right of any person to access or request information, whether or not contained in any written form, which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution howsoever described, is established.” while Section  2(2), states that: “A public institution shall ensure the proper organization and maintenance of all information in its custody in a manner that facilitates public access to such information”  Primary Purpose of FOIA  According to the Act, its primary purpose is to make information about public records freely available to every Nigerian in the public interest. …

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