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LABOUR PARTY SENATORS, REPS CAUCUS, OHANAEZE YOUTHS, DEMAND APOLOGY FROM OKPEBHOLO OVER COMMENT ON PETER OBI
The Labour Party caucus in the Senate has demanded that Governor Monday Okpebholo withdraw his statement banning Peter Obi from visiting Edo State without a security clearance from him.
The lawmakers also demanded that Governor Okpebholo apologize to Nigerians.
They described Obi as a champion of democracy, nation-building and sustainable development and asked the security forces in the country to take note of the threats against him.
The demands were made known in a press statement on Saturday, signed by Senators Victor Umeh, Ireti Kingibe, Ezea Okey, and Tony Nwoye, in which they described the Edo Governor’s statement as Executive lawlessness and impudence.
Recall that Okpebholo had warned Peter Obi not to visit the state without security clearance. He gave the warning while formally receiving Hon. Marcus Onobun, the last remaining opposition federal lawmaker in the State, into the ruling party’s fold.
The LP lawmakers, however, responded that Peter Obi has a right of movement which is guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution, and the Governor must not infringe the right.
The Senators said the Governor’s actions are contrary to Section 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
“We humbly urge the Executive Governor of Edo State to quickly withdraw his unguarded statement threatening Mr Peter Obi’s life, freedom of movement, and personal security and tender an unreserved apology to all Nigerians for violating the Nigerian Constitution, which he swore to uphold.”
“Mr Peter Obi is a citizen of Nigeria, and his movement is guaranteed and should not be curtailed by sheer Executive lawlessness and impudence.
“As a champion of democracy, nation-building and sustainable development, Mr Peter Obi deserves protection and support from the law and all who share the vision for a better Nigeria,” the statement read. They asked, “The Inspector General of Police and the Director General, Department of State Services, to take note of this threat.
“The Nigeria of this century cannot afford to condone executive rascality and abuse of office by public officers for the peace and harmony of our dear Country, Nigeria. “
Also the Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has warned that its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, should not come to harm by any means
Similarly, the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the threat by Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, who on Friday stated that Peter Obi should not visit Edo State without permission and security clearance from him, warning that his safety could otherwise not be guaranteed.
Both groups described Governor Okpebholo’s disguised threat as outrageous, shocking, uncouth, and disappointing.
The Ohanaeze youth urged President Bola Tinubu to call the governor to order.
Video of the governor warning Obi against entering Edo State with official clearance has since gone viral.
The LP caucus emphasized that Obi, like any other Nigerian citizen, has “the constitutional right to visit any part of the country without fear of molestation, threat to life, or harm, as guaranteed under a democratic system.”
The LP lawmakers, in a statement by their leader, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, issued in Awka, faulted Governor Okpebholo, describing his remarks as “uncivil, unconstitutional, undemocratic, and unbecoming of a public servant in such a high office”.
He added: “Mr. Peter Obi’s philanthropic efforts nationwide embody his humanity and empathy for the people, transcending political affiliations, ethnicity, and other divides.
“Rather than being vilified or incited against, he should be commended for supporting human capital development in the nation. As a champion of democracy, nation-building, and sustainable development, Peter Obi deserves protection and support from all who share these values.”
Ogene said: “It’s bewildering to hear such an outrageous outburst from a state governor, particularly one with a background as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The level of conduct, reasoning, and delivery displayed is shocking, especially from a supposedly democratically elected official and chief security officer of a state.
“What manner of example do we set for the younger generation, especially as regards public conduct, civility, respect for human rights and the rule of law, as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
“How do we fight violence in the land, if as leaders we openly encourage intolerance, bigotry and anti-democratic tendencies, like the Edo State governor has publicly exhibited?”
He added: “We, therefore, urge President Bola Tinubu to call the Edo State governor to order. And hasten to warn that no harm should come to our leader, Peter Obi, anywher
