Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to retract a recent threat issued against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The governor had, during a political rally in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, warned Obi not to visit the state without prior notification or security clearance.
Okpebholo reportedly said, “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.”
In a statement released on Sunday, Falana condemned the remarks, describing them as a violation of Peter Obi’s fundamental rights under Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which guarantee every citizen’s right to life.
Citing Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution—which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government—Falana urged Governor Okpebholo to immediately retract the threat, offer a public apology to Obi, and ensure his safety in the state.
He further advised that if the governor refuses to back down, Obi should urgently file a case at the Federal High Court in Benin to enforce his right to life, especially given the ongoing threat of mob violence and extrajudicial killings in Nigeria.