Renowned human rights advocate and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to immediately retract his recent remarks directed at Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s former presidential candidate.
Governor Okpebholo, while speaking at a public engagement on Friday, had issued a stern warning, stating that Obi must not set foot in Edo State without prior security clearance.
READ ALSO: Obi should not come to Edo without informing me – Okpebholo
He accused the LP flagbearer of instigating unrest during a previous visit.
“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 had declared.
Responding in a statement on Sunday, Falana condemned the governor’s outburst, describing it as unconstitutional and a breach of fundamental rights.
“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 (Ratification and Enforcement) which guarantee the fundamental right of every citizen to life,” Falana stated.
He emphasized that by virtue of section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution—which places the protection of lives and well-being of citizens at the core of governance—the governor ought to not only rescind his threat but also tender a public apology to Obi and ensure his safety within the state.
Falana further advised that, should the governor refuse to backtrack on his threat due to what he termed the “arrogance of raw power,” Peter Obi should promptly approach the Federal High Court in Benin to seek protection under the law.
“However, 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 in view of the prevalence of mob justice and other forms of extrajudicial killings in the country,” he added.
