Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to retract his recent remarks directed at Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate.
Falana’s response follows a statement made by Governor Okpebholo during a public event on Friday, where he declared that Peter Obi must not visit Edo State without obtaining security clearance.
Okpebholo accused Obi of contributing to violence during his last visit to the state, alleging that money was shared and that lives were lost shortly after.
“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped N15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance,” the governor stated.
Reacting on Sunday, Falana described the governor’s remarks as unlawful and unconstitutional, stating they infringe on the rights guaranteed under Nigerian law and international human rights conventions.
“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 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,” Falana said.
He reminded Governor Okpebholo that under section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, a government’s primary duty is the security and welfare of the people, not threats or intimidation.
“Governor Okpebholo should withdraw the threat, apologise publicly to Mr. Peter Obi, and assure him of the safety of his life in Edo State.”
Falana further advised Obi to seek legal redress if the governor fails to retract the statement, warning of the danger posed by mob justice and extrajudicial killings across the country.
“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 Judicial Division of the Federal High Court to secure the enforcement of his fundamental right to life.”
“Mr. Obi should act with utmost urgency,” he added.
