The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the Nigerian Senate has called on the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to issue an apology to the Nigerian people over comments he made about the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The governor had claimed that Obi must seek clearance before visiting Edo, a remark that the LP senators strongly condemned as unconstitutional and dangerous.
In a joint statement signed by four LP senators—Victor Umeh, Ireti Kingibe, Ezea Okey, and Tony Nwoye—the lawmakers described Governor Okpebholo’s comment as “executive rascality and abuse of office.” They urged the governor to immediately retract the statement, which they believe threatened Peter Obi’s “life, freedom of movement, and personal security.”
The statement partly read: “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.”
Governor Okpebholo had made the controversial remarks during a public event on Friday, where he referred to Obi’s previous visit to the state as a security threat. According to him, “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped N15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed.” He then added, “For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance.”
This statement sparked backlash from various quarters, including the LP Senate caucus, who insisted that no Nigerian citizen needs any form of clearance to move freely within the country. Quoting the Nigerian Constitution, the senators stated that Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution guarantees freedom of movement for every citizen.
The lawmakers added: “Mr Peter Obi is a citizen of Nigeria, and his movement is guaranteed and should not be curtailed by sheer Executive lawlessness and impudence.”
Highlighting Obi’s national reputation, they described him as “a champion of democracy, nation-building and sustainable development,” stressing that he “deserves protection and support from the law and all who share the vision for a better Nigeria.”
Furthermore, the LP senators urged Nigeria’s security agencies to act. They called on both the Inspector General of Police and the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to take note of what they considered a serious threat against Peter Obi.
Concluding their statement, the caucus noted: “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.”
What You Should Know
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State recently suggested that Peter Obi must get his approval before entering the state, citing alleged violence linked to Obi’s past visit.
LP senators have condemned the statement as unconstitutional, calling it a threat to national unity and Obi’s personal rights, and demanding a public apology from the governor.
