By BONIFACE AKARAH

The Media Office of African Democratic Party (ADC) frontline presidential aspirant, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised the alarm over what it described as a “clandestine move” to restrict his public engagements, citing repeated cancellations of his appearances at tertiary institutions across the country.

In a statement issued on Monday, Ibragim Umar, spokesman of Peter Obi Media Reache (POMR), alleged that the former presidential candidate has faced a series of last-minute disinvitations, including a recent cancellation at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and similar incidents at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN).

“The media office is privy to various schemes being put in place clandestinely to limit Obi’s freedom and deny him access to the Nigerian people,” Umar said.

According to the group, the trend reflects a broader pattern rather than isolated administrative decisions.

“This worrisome development is not an isolated administrative hiccup but a symptom of a deepening democratic malaise,” the statement noted, adding that such incidents have occurred “over 10 times in recent months.”

POMR argued that universities, traditionally regarded as spaces for intellectual exchange, are increasingly yielding to what it described as external pressures.

“Universities are, by definition, the marketplace of ideas… but in an attempt to suppress our principal, public institutions are succumbing to external political pressures and intimidation,” Umar said.

Quoting Obi, the statement added: “Such occurrences now point to a troubling pattern that should concern all well-meaning Nigerians.”

The group contrasted the alleged restrictions in Nigeria with Obi’s engagements abroad, noting that he has been hosted at institutions such as University of Oxford, Harvard University, University of Cambridge, and Yale University.

“The irony is stark… while he is welcomed to speak freely at global centres of excellence, within his own country, the doors of public learning are increasingly being bolted,” the statement said.

POMR called on administrators of public institutions to uphold academic freedom and resist any form of interference.

“A country that silences its thinkers and its leaders within its ivory towers is a country that risks intellectual and social stagnation,” Umar added.

The media office reiterated its position that public discourse should remain open and inclusive, stating that it stands “for an open Nigeria where the force of argument supersedes the argument of force.”

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