Human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to immediately retract threats made against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The call comes after Governor Okpebholo, at a recent political rally in Uromi, Esan North East LGA, issued a controversial warning stating that Obi must not enter Edo State without first notifying him or obtaining security clearance. “There’s a new sheriff in town,” Okpebholo declared. “He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking.”
Reacting in a strongly worded statement on Sunday, Falana described the governor’s remarks as a direct violation of Peter Obi’s constitutional rights, particularly Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution which guarantees the right to life, as well as Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
“In view of Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, Governor Okpebholo should withdraw the threat, apologise publicly to Mr. Peter Obi and assure him of the safety of his life in Edo State,” Falana stated.
The senior lawyer warned that should the governor fail to retract the statement, Obi has every right to seek legal redress. “If Governor Okpebholo does not withdraw the illegal threat because of sheer arrogance of raw power, Mr. Peter Obi should proceed to file an application in the Benin Judicial Division of the Federal High Court to secure the enforcement of his fundamental right to life,” Falana said.
He further advised that action must be taken urgently, citing the widespread incidents of mob justice and extrajudicial killings across the country as a cause for concern.
What You Should Know
Femi Falana (SAN) is a prominent Nigerian lawyer known for defending civil liberties. His intervention underscores the seriousness of threats made by public officials and highlights the legal protections available to political figures like Peter Obi under Nigeria’s constitution and international law.
