A tense political controversy has erupted following statements from Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo directed at Peter Obi, a former governor and presidential aspirant. A trending video clip shows Okpebholo warning Obi not to visit Edo without prior permission, implicitly threatening his safety.
The Obidient Movement swiftly condemned the governor’s words, emphasizing the constitutional provisions that guarantee freedom of movement across Nigeria. Nana Kazaure, spokesperson for the movement, remarked on the gravity of the governor’s remarks, calling them a breach of both legal and democratic principles.
Kazaure pointed out the troubling precedence such threats set, recalling a similar incident where Benue State’s governor threatened Obi while he was on a humanitarian visit.
“The right of a Nigerian citizen to freely move and offer aid cannot be curtailed by political vendettas,” Kazaure asserted.
The Obidient Movement further warned that should anything happen to Obi, responsibility would rest squarely on the security apparatus led by the governors making these threats.
This episode highlights the contentious political environment in some Nigerian states and raises questions about the abuse of gubernatorial power in security matters.