Human rights activist Mr. Stanley Ajemba, popularly known as “Ontop,” has urged the Federal Government to caution the state Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, over the alleged use of state power to intimidate opposition politicians in the state.
Ajemba raised the alarm following the invitation of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Sir Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa, by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Ohaa’s invitation came after a visit to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUTH), where the opposition candidate raised concerns over the condition of the hospital and the welfare of resident doctors.
During the visit, Ohaa said resident doctors had raised concerns over salaries, welfare, working conditions, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
The NDC governorship candidate noted that the situation required urgent attention, stressing that poor working conditions and inadequate medical facilities could have consequences for both healthcare workers and patients.
According to him, “Our doctors deserve better. Our people deserve better. Enugu deserves better.”
Following that visit, the Enugu State Government reportedly petitioned the DSS over the matter, leading to the agency’s invitation of Ohaa for questioning.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Ajemba, popularly known as “Ontop,” called on the Federal Government to intervene and caution the state Governor against actions that, in his view, could be perceived as attempts to intimidate opposition candidates.
The activist linked the Enugu development to the recent controversy involving NDC presidential candidate Peter Gregory Obi and an earlier incident in Benue State.
According to Ajemba, “the incidents raise concerns about the protection of opposition politicians and the preservation of constitutional democracy.”
Ajemba alleged that the increasing involvement of state institutions in matters involving opposition figures could amount to an infringement on their fundamental rights if such institutions were being used for political purposes.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to ensure that security agencies operate independently and that political disagreements are handled through lawful and democratic channels.
He also called on state governors to respect the rights of opposition candidates to inspect public facilities, raise concerns about governance, and engage with citizens without intimidation.
The activist warned that any perceived misuse of state institutions against political opponents could weaken public confidence in democratic institutions and undermine Nigeria’s constitutional order.
As at publishing, the allegations by Ajemba have not been independently established. The specific contents of the Enugu State Government’s petition and the reasons given by the DSS for inviting Ohaa were not stated in the information available.