The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the National Assembly has condemned a recent statement by Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, in which he warned the LP presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, against visiting the state without prior security clearance.
In a joint statement released on Saturday and signed by Senators Victor Umeh, Ireti Kingibe, Ezea Okey, and Tony Nwoye, the lawmakers described the governor’s remarks as “executive rascality and abuse of office,” and demanded an immediate retraction and apology to Nigerians.
“We humbly urge the Executive Governor of Edo State to quickly withdraw his unguarded statement threatening Mr Peter Obi’s life, freedom of movement, and personal security and tender an unreserved apology to all Nigerians for violating the Nigerian Constitution, which he swore to uphold,” the statement read in part.
LEADERSHIP reports that the controversy erupted after Governor Okpebholo, during a public event on Friday, claimed that Obi’s previous visit to Edo State had led to violence, alleging the LP presidential candidate left behind a trail of unrest.
“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped N15million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed,” the governor said.
“For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance,” he added.
The remarks sparked widespread criticism and were seen by many as an attempt to intimidate and restrict the movements of a major political figure.
In response, the LP Senators reminded the governor and the public that freedom of movement is a fundamental right enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.
“Mr Peter Obi is a citizen of Nigeria, and his movement is guaranteed and should not be curtailed by sheer executive lawlessness and impudence,” the statement continued.
Citing Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Senators emphasised that every Nigerian has the right to move freely throughout the country without harassment or intimidation from public officials.
The lawmakers also called on security agencies to take immediate action on what they described as a veiled threat to Obi’s personal safety.
“We ask the Inspector General of Police and the Director General, Department of State Services, to take note of this threat,” they said.
They warned against the dangerous precedent such remarks could set, stressing the need to uphold democratic values and the rule of law.
“The Nigeria of this century cannot afford to condone executive rascality and abuse of office by public officers for the peace and harmony of our dear Country, Nigeria,” they concluded.
