Peter Obi: Withdraw threat or face legal action, Falana tells Okpebholo

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has strongly condemned a recent threat issued by the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, against former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.

Falana described the governor’s remarks as a brazen violation of the constitutional right to life and called for an immediate retraction and public apology.

Governor Okpebholo, while speaking at a political rally in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, had warned Mr. Obi against entering Edo State without notifying his office or obtaining security clearance.

In his words: “There’s a new sheriff in town. 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.”

Falana, who chairs the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), has therefore decried the statement as a direct threat to Obi’s life, stressing that such utterances are not only reckless but unconstitutional.

He said, “The threat to the life of Mr. Peter Obi issued by the ‘new sheriff in town’ in Edo State constitutes a violation of Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which guarantee the fundamental right to life.”

Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which designates the security and welfare of citizens as the primary responsibility of government, Falana insisted that Governor Okpebholo has a duty to ensure the safety of all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation.

He therefore called on the governor to publicly withdraw the threat, apologise to Obi, and assure him of his safety within Edo State. Anything short of that, he warned, would amount to an abuse of executive power and a failure of leadership.

In the event the governor refuses to recant, Falana advised Mr. Obi to seek immediate legal redress.

“Mr. Obi should proceed to file an application before the Federal High Court sitting in Benin to enforce his fundamental right to life. He must act with urgency, especially in light of the rising incidents of mob justice and extrajudicial killings in the country.”

Amid heightened political tension in Edo State as the governorship election approaches, the activist said the governor’s comment, if not addressed, could set a dangerous precedent for political intolerance and intimidation.

However, Okpebholo has moved to clarify the controversy surrounding his recent statement.
In a statement released, the state government stressed that Edo remains open and welcoming to all Nigerians, irrespective of political alignment, ethnicity, or religious belief.

Okpebholo, the statement noted, is committed to unity and inclusivity and was merely emphasizing the importance of security protocol for high-profile visits in politically sensitive climates. The remarks, it said, should not be seen through the lens of hostility or exclusion.

The Edo government maintained that Governor Okpebholo’s leadership style mirrors the reflections of historical figures such as the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, referencing his principle of responsible governance as documented in his 1989 book, Because I Am Involved.

The statement emphasized that the governor’s words were rooted in duty and administrative order, rather than in personal bias.

Itua explained that public events involving dignitaries must adhere to established protocols to ensure safety, order, and respect. While all political leaders, including Peter Obi, are respected and welcomed, the statement noted that adherence to proper procedures is essential for maintaining public trust and coordination.

The administration also highlighted ongoing developments across Edo State in education, agriculture, security, and infrastructure as evidence of the governor’s focus on progress. These include significant investments in school rebuilding, teacher recruitment, rural agricultural cultivation, massive road projects, and legislation to combat cultism and kidnapping.

The government therefore reiterated that Governor Okpebholo remains committed to leading a government that builds bridges, not walls. While the comment may have sparked tension, the administration called for calm and understanding, urging Nigerians to view the clarification as an effort to promote clarity, unity, and mutual respect.