Falana Urges Edo Governor to Withdraw Death Threat Against Peter Obi

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to immediately withdraw a threat he made against the former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

At a recent political rally held in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, Governor Okpebholo warned Obi against visiting the state without notifying him or obtaining security clearance.

“There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me,” the governor declared. “His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking.”

Reacting to the statement on Sunday, Falana described the governor’s remarks as a direct violation of constitutional and human rights provisions. According to him, “The threat to the life of Peter Obi issued by the ‘new sheriff in town’ in Edo State constitutes a violation of Section 33 of the Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, both of which guarantee the fundamental right to life.”

He further cited Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which affirms that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” adding that such a statement from a sitting governor is dangerous and unacceptable.

“In view of Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, Governor Okpebholo should withdraw the threat, apologise publicly to Mr. Peter Obi and assure him of the safety of his life in Edo State,” Falana stated.

He also urged Obi to seek legal redress if the governor refuses to retract his words.

“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,” the senior lawyer warned.

PUNCH