Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has come under intense fire over Friday’s perceived threat to the life of Mr. Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, during the 2023 general elections whose security he said could not be guaranteed should he visit the state without his permission.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that Governor Okpebholo issued the threat at Uromi, headquarters of Esan North-East Local Government Area, while receiving a defecting federal lawmaker from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Marcus Onobun, who represents Esan West/Igueben/Central constituency in the House of Representatives.
In a sudden outburst at the event, Okpebholo said, “The man wey say he nor get shi shi, I am sending a direct message to him. He cannot come to Edo without telling me. A new Sheriff is in town.
“His security cannot be guaranteed. We are serious about it. Whatever that happens to him when he comes to Edo State, he will take it. He came the other day and donated N15m. By the time he left after donating the money, there was crisis and three people died in Benin. Tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me.”
A viral video of Okpebholo’s threat had set the social media abuzz with netizens lampooning the governor for brazen display of thuggery, executive recklessness and conduct unbecoming of a governor.
In a sharp rebuke of the governor, the Member representing Egor/Ikpoba-Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi, described his utterance as “a reckless abuse of office and a fundamental violation of the rights of a respected Nigerian statesman.”
Omoruyi dismissed as a “flagrant overreach and unconstitutional”, the governor’s warning that Obi needed his permission to visit Edo, emphasising that “Peter Obi is a free citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He requires no permission from any governor to move around his country. To suggest otherwise is to undermine our democracy and insult the very principles of freedom and equality upon which our Constitution rests”.
The LP federal lawmaker said it was ironic that “while criminals, kidnappers, and cultists continue to terrorise citizens across the state, the Governor’s attention is focused on attacking a peaceful, generous, and law-abiding figure like Peter Obi”, and advised him to channel his energy into solving the myriad challenges facing Edo State, including insecurity, infrastructural decay, youth unemployment, cultism, flooding, drug abuse, and the rising burden of state debt.
Weighing in on the matter, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former publicity secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Kunle Edun, said by Governor Okpebholo’s threat was a violation of his oath of office.
Reacting to the viral video in a statement on Saturday, Edun said: “All governors are, by virtue of their constitutional powers, the Chief Security Officers of their respective states and are enjoined to ensure the protection of lives and property. This is the primary responsibility of government.
“Mr. Obi is a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and has the constitutional right to move, reside, and visit any part of the country, as guaranteed under Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
“It is only the Constitution, or a law validly passed by the National Assembly that can restrict a citizen’s movement – not the pronouncement of a governor.”
Edun described the governor’s statement as “most unfortunate” and unbecoming of a democratically elected leader, warning that such utterances could send the wrong message to potential investors and visitors, painting the state as unsafe, whereas “Edo State is a peaceful and lovely place. Its people are friendly and welcoming”.
Also reacting, the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in a statement on Saturday titled, “An Urgent Call for Action”, described the governor’s warning as an “assassination threat on Mr Peter Obi”. The organisation declared that should anything happen to Obi, Governor Okpebholo should be held responsible.
The statement by the National President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said it was shocking for a sitting governor to use such words on a fellow citizen of Nigeria, stressing that “this is a reckless comment too many”, especially from “a sitting governor, and someone who was a parliamentarian, the main symbol of the country’s democracy”.
The Ohanaeze youths called on the international community to place a visa ban on Governor Okpebholo who they posited, “has given himself out as an undemocratic element, one who is not ready to allow dissenting voices”.
Part of the statement reads: “We consider it reprehensible and utterly debasing that a sitting governor could publicly dish out this threat against an innocent citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Let us make this loud and clear- the Edo governor’s threat against the life of Mr. Peter Obi is considered an assassination threat, and we are not taking it lightly.
“Should anything happen to Mr Peter Obi, the entire world knows who to hold responsible.
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Worldwide is calling on the Nigerian Government led by President Bola Tinubu to rise to the occasion and call the Edo State governor to order.
“We urge the presidency to publicly condemn the governor’s action as we know it is not in the character of Mr. President to condone such behaviour.
“This reckless action was started by Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, a man who ordinarily by virtue of his vocation should be a father to all but has been beclouded by political braggadocio.
“Now, his fellow APC governor has even issued worse threats. This is why we urge the Tinubu government not to keep silent in the face of this provocative statement.
“We call on the police hierarchy and the DSS to re-assure not just Mr Peter Obi but all Nigerians of their safety in any part of the country…
“We consider this a threat against the entire Igbo race and not just Peter Obi. Why is it that every now and then, it is about Peter Obi? Is he the only opposition politician in Nigeria? Enough is enough!
“It is, therefore, our appeal that the United States, the United Kingdom and all their allies should place an immediate visa ban on the governor of Edo State.
“As Nigeria soon heads to the 2027 general elections, this will serve as a deterrent to others who may make provocative and inciting statements capable of derailing the country’s democracy”.
In a similar reaction, the Igbo Community Association, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, said Okpebholo lacked the powers to ban Obi from entering Edo State, and demanded a retraction of his allegation of complicity in the death of three persons in the state soon after his visit.
In a statement issued Friday night, signed by its President General, Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, an engineer, “the Governor of Edo State, Okpebholo must be cautious of the manner he expresses himself especially publicly, particularly now that he speaks as an elected governor of a state.”
Describing the threat against Obi as “simply disappointing and unbecoming of a supposed statesman”, Ellis-Ezenekwe said, “The Governor of Edo State claimed that three persons were killed immediately following the visit of Peter Obi to the state. Through this, the Governor labeled Peter Obi a security threat to the people of Edo State.
“What an irresponsible way to speak as a governor. The Igbo Community in the FCT is shocked by the careless manner the Edo Governor spoke. We demand that the Edo Governor retracts his statement immediately. He must retract the insinuation that Peter Obi’s visit caused the killing of three people in Edo State”.
The association insisted that “The politics of blood and do-or-die must stop” as Nigeria is not a one-party system, but a full-fledged democracy.
Appealing to relevant authorities to call Okpebholo to order, Ellis-Ezenekwe said, “We, the Igbo Community in the Federal Capital Territor is calling on the security architecture to caution the Edo State Governor to desist from such public utterances.
“This is a clear sign of the hate against anything Igbo. It is no longer about Peter Obi; it is about the Demons that have been holding Nigeria and Nigerians. It is now clear about the real enemies Nigerians have been fighting.
“They’re holding Nnamdi Kanu who has not been found guilty of anything, and they’re also preventing Peter Obi from visiting Edo State. The Benue State governor (a Rev Fr.) did the same a few months ago.
“I understand the governor’s fears. Well, that’s what someone who lacks popularity would say”.
On its part, the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, described to Okpebholo’s warning to Obi as “a veiled death threat”, and accused the governor of thuggery.
In a statement signed by Chief Peter Ameh, its National Publicity Secretary, CUPP said the Governor’s comment clearly showed he was not inclined with the provision of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees freedom of movement for citizens.
According to Ameh, “Okpebholo’s recorded remarks, warning Obi not to ‘dare’ enter Edo State without his permission and stating that his security ‘is not guaranteed,’ constitute a veiled death threat against a law-abiding citizen exercising his constitutional rights”.
Calling on other political leaders, civil society organizations and activists to speak up against what it describes as an unacceptable display of thuggery, CUPP noted that Obi’s only offence “is traveling across the country to support hospitals, schools, nurses, and IDPs at their points of need. Should a governor fear acts of charity?
“Governor Monday Okpebholo’s threat against Peter Obi is a disgraceful act that strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy. It is a direct assault on the constitutional rights to freedom of movement, expression, and association, and it reflects a dangerous arrogance that has no place in governance.
“This incident must serve as a wake-up call for Nigerians to defend their constitutional protections and demand accountability from those in power.
“The rule of law must prevail, and no individual, no matter their position, should be allowed to trample on the rights of citizens. Edo State and Nigeria deserve better than this shameful display of leadership.”
Expectedly, the ‘Obidients’ are outraged, condemning in strong terms what they perceive as “descent into political hostility”.
In a statement signed by its Director, Strategic Communications, Nana Kazaure, the Obidient Movement said it was alarmed that a governor who swore to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria could descend so low as to utter such threats.
Kazaure said, “For the avoidance of doubt, Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees the right of every Nigerian citizen to move freely and reside in any part of the country.
“It is, therefore, unconstitutional, dangerous, and indefensible for a sitting governor to attempt to restrict this fundamental right or issue threats to a former governor and presidential candidate”.
Recalling a similar threat by the Benue State governor, Hyacinth Alia, Kazaure posited that
“These threats reveal a disturbing pattern of intolerance, insecurity, and political pettiness.
“Let it be clear: should any harm befall Mr. Peter Obi, Nigerians will know where to look. Governors are Chief Security Officers of their states, and their words carry consequences—not just politically, but in the safety and well-being of citizens.
“We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, civil society groups, and the international community to condemn this descent into political hostility. Nigeria belongs to us all.
“No politician, no matter how highly placed, should be allowed to weaponize their office or incite division and fear through reckless and unlawful rhetoric.”