HURIWA Blasts Okpebholo for Threatening Peter Obi

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the recent warning issued by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, against the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, describing the statement as “reckless, unconstitutional, and dangerous.”

In a widely circulated video, Governor Okpebholo was seen addressing supporters and warning that Peter Obi must not enter Edo State without notifying the government, stating that the former Anambra governor’s safety could not be guaranteed otherwise.

The governor’s statement follows a similar episode in Benue State, where Obi’s planned visit to an IDP camp in Gboko was reportedly discouraged by the state government.

Reacting to the developments, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, called on both Edo and Benue governors to immediately withdraw what the group described as illegal and provocative threats.

“The threat against Peter Obi by the Edo State Governor is absolutely despicable, reprehensible, and absurd. It is an intolerable affront to constitutional democracy,” Onwubiko declared.

“Governors are not feudal lords or monarchs with unchecked powers over citizens’ movements. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, and no citizen—including Peter Obi—needs a governor’s approval to visit any state in the federation.”

HURIWA said the governor’s comments implied tacit approval of violence against the opposition and described the tone as dangerously undemocratic.

“The indirect interpretation of the words of the Edo State Governor is that political thugs may now feel empowered to attack opposition leaders. That is why Governor Okpebholo must publicly retract his words within the next 24 hours,” the statement read.

The group accused the governor of making unfounded claims by trying to link Obi’s visits to rising crime in Edo State.

“It is totally illogical for the Edo State Governor to attempt to draw a connection between Mr. Peter Obi’s visits and crime rates in the state. He provided no empirical data or verifiable evidence to support such an outrageous claim,” Onwubiko said.

HURIWA also challenged the governors to read and adhere to Chapter Four of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees the freedom of movement to all citizens, and referenced international instruments like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights—all of which Nigeria is bound by.

“No governor or even the President of Nigeria has the legal right to restrict the movement of a citizen within the territory of Nigeria, as long as the citizen is acting within the bounds of the law,” the group emphasized.

The association further slammed the Edo governor for “displaying political intolerance and insecurity,” noting that instead of discouraging charitable acts, he should welcome any gestures aimed at uplifting communities.

“It is bizarre that a governor would see Peter Obi’s philanthropic visits as a threat. When did generosity become a source of political anxiety?” Onwubiko asked.

HURIWA also urged President Bola Tinubu to call members of his party to order, stating that statements like Okpebholo’s only serve to “overheat the polity and undermine the principles of political pluralism.”

“We urge the President to rein in his party members who are making incendiary statements. Democracy thrives on tolerance, not threats,” the group warned.

HURIWA demanded that Governor Okpebholo clearly and openly dissociate himself from any implied or overt threat to Mr. Peter Obi’s safety, and reaffirm the constitutional rights of all Nigerians to travel freely across the country.

“Let it be said without ambiguity: Mr. Monday Okpebholo has no lawful authority to stop Peter Obi or any Nigerian from visiting Edo State. Freedom of movement is an inalienable right, and Nigeria remains a constitutional democracy, not a monarchy,” Onwubiko said.

HURIWA Blasts Okpebholo for Threatening Peter Obi is first published on The Whistler Newspaper