Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to immediately withdraw what he described as a death threat issued against the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The warning follows remarks made by Governor Okpebholo during a recent political rally in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, where he declared that Obi must not enter the state without his knowledge or security clearance.
“There’s a new sheriff in town,” the governor had said. “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.”
In a statement issued on Sunday, Falana condemned the threat, stating it violates Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which guarantee the right to life.
Falana urged Governor Okpebholo to retract his statement, offer a public apology to Peter Obi, and guarantee the safety of all citizens in Edo State, regardless of political affiliation.
“Under Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” Falana noted.
“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 Division of the Federal High Court to enforce his fundamental right to life,” he added.
Falana also advised Obi to act swiftly, citing the growing trend of mob justice and extrajudicial killings across the country.
