By John Alechenu, Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, Victor Ujumadu, Luminous Jannamike, Kennedy Mbele & Dickson Omobola
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State’s risk towards the presidential candidate of the Labour Social gathering, LP, within the 2023 polls, Mr Peter Obi, is producing backlash, with many describing the governor’s remark as politiccal pettiness.
Final Friday, Okpebholo warned that Obi must not ever come to Edo with out acquiring safety clearance from him as a result of the presidential hopeful’s final go to coincided with a resurgence of violence within the state.
His warning got here after the LP presidential candidate visited Benin, the state capital, on July 7 and donated N15m to St. Philomena Hospital Faculty of Nursing Sciences for the completion of some tasks within the college.
The governor spoke whereas receiving the final opposition federal lawmaker within the state, Marcus Onobun, into the All Progressives Congress, APC.
He stated: “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ got here and dropped N15m. The place did he get it from? After he left, three individuals had been killed. For that reason, Obi should not come to Edo with out safety clearance. His go to coincided with a resurgence of violence within the state, and this won’t be tolerated.”
Whereas expressing dismay over the event, the Igbo Neighborhood Affiliation within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, stated Okpebholo’s assertion was reckless, unconstitutional and unbecoming of a public officeholder.
A press release signed by the group’s President Normal, Engr. Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, demanded an instantaneous retraction, saying the allegation towards Obi was irresponsible, inflammatory and risked fuelling ethnic rigidity and polarisation.
The assertion reads: “Governor Okpebholo should train larger warning within the method he expresses himself, significantly in public boards. His latest feedback are deeply disappointing and unbecoming of a governor who should act as a statesman
“It’s saddening that, within the face of mounting socio-economic challenges, the governor seems extra involved with Mr Obi’s itinerary than with fulfilling the duties of his workplace.
“This newest outburst shouldn’t be merely about Peter Obi; it reveals the deep-rooted animosity in the direction of the Igbo individuals and displays the forces which have lengthy held Nigeria again.”
Additionally, Obidient Motion, in a press release signed by its Director, Strategic Communications, Nana Kazaure, stated: “For the avoidance of doubt, Part 41 of the 1999 Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) ensures the precise of each Nigerian citizen to maneuver freely and reside in any a part of the nation.
It’s, subsequently, unconstitutional, harmful, and indefensible for a sitting governor to try to limit this basic proper or problem threats to a former governor and presidential candidate.
“This isn’t an remoted incident. Nigerians will recall the same risk beforehand issued by the Governor of Benue State, additionally directed at Mr Obi, throughout a humanitarian go to. In each instances, Mr. Obi was participating in missions of goodwill and charity, offering assist to residents usually uncared for by their very own state governments. These threats reveal a disturbing sample of intolerance, insecurity, and political pettiness.
“Let or not it’s clear: ought to any hurt befall Mr Peter Obi, Nigerians will know the place to look. Governors are Chief Safety Officers of their states, and their phrases carry penalties, not simply politically, however within the security and wellbeing of residents.”
Equally, LP caucus within the Home of Representatives described the motion as outrageous, stunning, uncouth and disappointing.
A press release by its chief, Afam Ogene, stated: “Mr. Peter Obi’s philanthropic efforts nationwide embody his humanity and empathy for the individuals, transcending political affiliations, ethnicity, and different divides.
“Relatively than being vilified or incited towards, he ought to be recommended for supporting human capital improvement within the nation. As a champion of democracy, nation-building, and sustainable improvement, Obi deserves safety and assist from all who share these values.”
On his half, a chairmanship candidate for the Abuja February, 2026 Municipal Space Council, AMAC, election, Dr Paul Moses, who’s contesting underneath the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in a press release, described Okphebolo’s statements as “disturbing and disgraceful.”
He stated: “Your threats will not be solely laughable, they’re unconstitutional, anti-democratic, and reveal the damaging mindset of those that rose to energy not via the poll of the individuals, however via the equipment of electoral manipulation.”
In a associated improvement, Kaduna State Police Command has issued a safety advisory, warning towards a deliberate political rally by Obi’s supporters, which is scheduled to carry in honour of his birthday. Obi was born on July 19, 1961.
A press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, stated credible intelligence advised that the rally, although meant as a present of assist, may be infiltrated by prison parts aiming to incite violence.
The police famous that every one types of political rallies and public political gatherings stay suspended within the state, pending the official graduation of political actions as prescribed by the Impartial Nationwide Electoral Fee, INEC.
It additionally acknowledged that a number of political events within the state had been scheduled to conduct their primaries on the identical day because the proposed rally, with correct notifications already submitted to the police in step with established protocols.
The assertion reads: “Authorities worry the overlap of occasions might lead to heightened rigidity, clashes, and a breakdown of legislation and order in affected areas. In view of those developments, the Command strongly advises the organisers of the deliberate Peter Obi rally to droop any gathering or procession. In the event that they want to honour their principal, such actions ought to be carried out in a secure and non-disruptive method.”
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