- Your Statement Violates Oath Of Office, Constitution
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has come under intense fire following a viral video in which he allegedly warned Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, not to enter the state without his permission, claiming he could not guarantee Obi’s safety.
The statement, widely circulated on social media, has triggered swift condemnation from legal and civil rights advocates, with Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Edun, calling it a grave breach of the governor’s constitutional oath.
“A governor is the Chief Security Officer of the state, not a threat to its citizens or visitors,” Edun said in a strongly worded response on Saturday.
The former Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) emphasized that Obi, like any Nigerian, is constitutionally entitled to move freely within the country, citing Section 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
“Only a valid law enacted by the National Assembly, not a governor’s outburst, can restrict a citizen’s movement,” Edun added.
Describing the governor’s comments as “irresponsible and unfortunate,” Edun warned that such rhetoric could deter investors, alarm residents, and undermine Edo State’s reputation as a peaceful and hospitable place.
“Statements like these not only violate the spirit of democracy but also damage public confidence in government and leadership,” he said.
As reactions continue to pour in, many political observers view Okpebholo’s comments as reckless and potentially inflammatory in an already tense political climate.
The backlash highlights growing concern over the use of state power to intimidate opposition voices or curtail civic freedoms.
Meanwhile, the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown its weight behind Governor’s controversial stance.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, the state APC chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, justified the governor’s position by citing past incidents.
He claimed that during Obi’s last visit to Edo, three people lost their lives, suggesting heightened tensions around the former presidential candidate’s presence.
Tenebe made the remarks shortly after the party announced Hon. Joseph Ikpea and Hon. Omosede Igbinedion as APC candidates for the Edo Central Senatorial District and the Ovia Federal Constituency by-elections, respectively.
He noted that the party would campaign vigorously to reinforce their claim of victory in the 2024 governorship election, saying, “We will campaign as though we have never won an election in this state. We want to show that we truly won the last governorship poll.”
Earlier, Chairman of the Edo Central APC Primary Election Committee, Ugboaja Stanley Uzoamaka, announced that Ikpea emerged as the consensus candidate after securing the support of 255 delegates from all 51 wards in the senatorial zone.
In Ovia Federal Constituency, Barrister Lucky Ajokperiniovo, who chaired the primary committee, confirmed Omosede Igbinedion as the party’s candidate, stating that other aspirants stepped down in her favour.
