Labour Party senators slam gov Okpebholo over his threat to Peter Obi, demand apology

• The Party’s caucus in the Senate said the Governor’s remarks smack of “executive rascality and abuse of office by a public officer”

Senators elected on platforms of the Labour Party have expressed their repulsion at the Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo’s declaration of Peter Obi as persona non grata in the State.

OOkpebholo had at a public event on Friday warned Obi not to visit Edo State without his permission. The governor claimed that there was violence in the area following the LP presidential candidate’s last trip.

“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,” he said.

His comment drew the ire of Nigerians and elicited outrage and backlash.

Reacting to the governor’s statement, the Party’s caucus in the Senate said the Governor’s remarks smacked of “executive rascality and abuse of office by a public officer ” and were inimical to the nation’s peaceful coexistence and progress.

In a joint statement signed by Senators Victor Umeh, Ireti Kingibe, Ezea Okey, and Tony Nwoye, the lawmakers enjoined the Okpebholo to withdraw his threat and apologise to Nigerians.

“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,” the statement released on Saturday read in part.

Citing Section 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the lawmakers said Obi, who was the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, did not need the governor’s permission to be

“Mr Peter Obi is a citizen of Nigeria, and his movement is guaranteed and should not be curtailed by sheer Executive lawlessness and impudence,” the senators said.

“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.”

They asked the Inspector General of Police and the Director General, Department of State Services, not to take the threat lightly.