Netizens and politicians have launched fierce online and offline attacks on Edo State’s Governor Monday Okpebholo who this week told the 2023 Labour Party (LP) Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, to stay away from the area without getting his personal notification and approval.
The comment has been met with anger and vilifications.
Reacting to the Senator-turned-Governor, the Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, described the warning as a “– threat,” to Peter Obi, and a violation of the Freedom of Movement provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.
Arise TV’s Oseni Rufai tweeted: “A Governor openly preaching hate!”
On X, Twitter, hash tags “Edo State,” and “Illiterate” have been trending, the latter in reference to the Governor’s opaque educational background.
Chidi Odinkalu tweeted: “You can like or choose not to like @PeterObi but a state Governor threatening a private citizen unprovoked is the tragic pass in which #Nigerian politics finds itself at. It is tragically condemnable.”
Inibehe Effiong wrote on X: “A semi-literate Governor is issuing silly threats to a politician publicly in the name of politics. Allowing misfits and thuggish individuals to assume political positions will always lead to disaster.
“The Edo State Governor should be ashamed of himself. We cannot tolerate such irresponsible behaviour. They’re now saying clearly that they are preparing and planning for carnage and rigging in 2027.”Okpebholo had made the declaration while addressing political supporters in a video that has since gone viral on social media.
He said: “This message is for the man who claims he has no ‘shishi’,” Governor Okpebholo said, using the local slang for money. “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.”
Obi visited Benin on July 7 and donated ₦15m million to Saint Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences for the completion of projects in the school
The Governor said: “The man wey say e no get shishi, I am sending a direct message to him that there is a new sheriff in town. He cannot come to Edo without telling me because his security will never be guaranteed. Whatever happens to him when he is in Edo State, he will take it, I am serious about it.
“He came the other day and donated ₦15,000,000, somebody wey say e no get shishi, from where e get ₦15,000,000 to donate to people? By the time he left, there was crisis, three people died in Benin. So for that reason, tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me.”
Okpebholo was addressing party loyalists while receiving Hon. Marcus Onobun, a former Edo Assembly Speaker and current Honourable member representing Esan West/Esan Central/Igueben Federal Constituency, to the APC.
His warning marks the second time Obi has been cautioned by an All Progressives Congress, APC-led state over visits.
In a similar episode in April, Obi was warned by Governor Hyacinth Alia against visiting Benue State.
Obi’s visit was intended for internally displaced persons, IDP, camp hosting victims of herdsmen-related violence.
CUPP, in a statement signed by Chief Peter Ameh, its National Publicity Secretary, said the Governor’s comment clearly shows he is not inclined with the provision of the Nigerian Constitution which guarantees freedom of movement for citizens.
“Okpebholo’s recorded remarks, warning Obi not to ‘dare’ enter Edo State without his permission and stating that his security ‘is not guaranteed,’ constitute a veiled death threat against a law-abiding citizen exercising his constitutional rights,” the statement said.
CUPP called on other political leaders, civil society organizations and activists to speak up against what it describes as an unacceptable display of thuggery.
It added, “His only offense is traveling across the country to support hospitals, schools, nurses, and IDPs at their points of need. Should a Governor fear acts of charity?
“Governor Monday Okpebholo’s threat against Peter Obi is a disgraceful act that strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy. It is a direct assault on the constitutional rights to freedom of movement, expression, and association, and it reflects a dangerous arrogance that has no place in governance.
“This incident must serve as a wake-up call for Nigerians to defend their constitutional protections and demand accountability from those in power.
“The rule of law must prevail, and no individual, no matter their position, should be allowed to trample on the rights of citizens. Edo State and Nigeria deserve better than this shameful display of leadership.”
