Femi Falana has demanded Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo retract a recent threat made against Peter Obi.
Falana stresses that the threat violates constitutional rights and calls for immediate action.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, on Sunday, called on Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to retract his recent threat against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
At a political rally in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, Okpebholo had warned Obi not to enter the state without his prior consent or security clearance. He stated, “There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking.”
In response, Falana issued a statement condemning the threat, emphasizing that such actions contravene Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which protect every citizen’s right to life.
Falana further reminded Governor Okpebholo that, according to Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, the government is mandated to prioritize the security and welfare of the people. He urged the governor to retract the threat, issue a public apology to Obi, and reassure him of his safety in Edo State.
“If Governor Okpebholo does not retract the threat due to an abuse of power, Mr. Obi should immediately file an application at the Federal High Court in Benin to enforce his fundamental right to life,” Falana added. He emphasized the urgency of the matter, noting the prevalence of mob justice and extrajudicial killings in the country.
