Tensions have escalated in Edo State following comments made by Governor Monday Okpebholo, who issued a strong warning to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The governor, during a political event in Uromi, Esan North-East LGA, declared: “He cannot come to Edo without telling me. A new sheriff is in town… His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking.”
The remarks have been widely criticised, sparking outrage from various quarters including the Igbo community and human rights groups. The governor, clearly displeased with Obi’s recent visit to Edo—during which he donated N15 million to a hospital—questioned the sincerity of the former governor’s famed modest lifestyle. “He donated N15 million to the Stella Obasanjo Hospital. Yet he says he is living like a poor man,” Okpebholo stated.
Condemning the threats, human rights lawyer Prof. Chidi Odinkalu called the governor's statement “tragically condemnable.” He further argued: “No Nigerian Governor has the power or authority to prevent any other Nigerian from being in any part of the country. The Constitution of Nigeria does not confer Governors with the power to declare citizens persona non grata in their states.”
Members of the Obidient Movement and other civil society organisations have also voiced concern, describing the governor’s threat as unconstitutional. The National Leader of the Obidient Movement in the FCT, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, said: “The threat of Peter Obi’s safety in Edo is totally unacceptable. The Nigeria constitution guarantees freedom of movement for every citizen.”
Iyere also dismissed the governor’s alleged claim that Obi’s visit was the cause of a protest in the state that led to the death of three people. “That claim is entirely false and fabricated. It is nothing but cheap political blackmail aimed at attacking the reputation of Peter Obi,” he asserted.
The FCT Igbo Community Organisation joined in the condemnation, warning Governor Okpebholo to withdraw his threats or risk backlash. “The Igbo community in the FCT is now aware that the Edo State governor threatened our leader. We shall not accept such provocation,” one of the leaders said.
The incident has raised serious concerns over the growing use of political office to suppress opposition voices and curtail fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.