- Obidient Movement said threats to Peter Obi during charity visits reflect growing political intolerance among state governors.
- Kazaure warned that governors are security chiefs and their words carry both political weight and dangerous implications.
The Obidient Movement has described the governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, as a threat to national unity over his comment on Peter Obi.
The group warned that the governor would be held responsible if anything happens to the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party.
Nana Kazaure, director of strategic communications for the movement, issued the warning in a statement on Saturday.
She was responding to a video where the governor allegedly warned Obi not to enter Edo without prior notification.
In the statement she signed, Kazaure condemned the governor’s position, saying the Nigerian constitution permits free movement for all citizens.
“The Obidient Movement has observed with deep concern a circulating video in which the governor of Edo State, His Excellency Monday Okpebholo, allegedly warns His Excellency Peter Obi never to set foot in Edo State again without preinforming him,” the statement reads.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees the right of every Nigerian citizen to move freely and reside in any part of the country.
“It is therefore disturbing and constitutionally indefensible for Governor Okpebholo to threaten or seek to restrict this fundamental right.”
Kazaure said this is not the first time such a threat has been issued against Obi, citing a similar statement from the governor of Benue State.
She said both occasions involved Obi carrying out humanitarian and charitable efforts in communities allegedly neglected by the governors involved.
“Even more troubling is the pattern emerging from such dangerous utterances. This is not an isolated incident. We recall a similar threat previously issued by the governor of Benue State against the person of His Excellency Mr. Obi,” she said.
“In both instances, Peter Obi was on missions of goodwill and charity, offering humanitarian support to citizens neglected by the very governors and government now issuing these threats.”
She warned that the threats should be taken seriously, and if anything happens to Obi, Nigerians should know where to look.
“We wish to alert Nigerians and the international community that these threats should not be dismissed lightly. Should anything untoward happen to His Excellency Peter Obi, Nigerians should know where to look,” she said.
“These governors are the chief security officers of their respective states, and their utterances carry weight, not just in words, but in potential consequences.”
She called on Nigerians to resist political intimidation and speak up against what she termed dangerous rhetoric.
“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to speak out against this descent into political intolerance and recklessness. Nigeria belongs to all of us.
“No individual, no matter how highly placed, should attempt to fan the embers of division or incite violence with careless, unlawful rhetoric.”