FALANA DEMANDS EDO GOVERNOR WITHDRAW THREAT AGAINST PETER OBI, CITES CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATION

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has called on the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, to immediately withdraw what he described as a direct threat to the life of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

Falana’s demand follows a controversial statement made by Governor Okpebholo at a political rally held in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, where he warned that Obi should not enter Edo State without notifying him or obtaining security clearance.

“There’s a new sheriff in town,” Okpebholo had said. “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.”

Reacting on Sunday, Falana described the governor’s remarks as not only “reckless” but a blatant violation of the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights law.

“The threat to Mr. Peter Obi’s life issued by the so-called ‘new sheriff in town’ constitutes a gross violation of Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act,” Falana stated.

He further cited Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which affirms that the security and welfare of the people are the primary purpose of government, urging Governor Okpebholo to publicly withdraw the threat, issue an unreserved apology to Obi, and guarantee his safety within the state.

Falana warned that failure to do so could compel Obi to take legal action to protect his fundamental rights.

“If Governor Okpebholo does not retract the illegal threat due to the arrogance of raw power, Mr. Obi should urgently approach the Federal High Court in Benin to seek enforcement of his constitutional right to life,” Falana advised.

The senior lawyer also stressed the urgency of the matter, citing the rising incidences of mob justice and extrajudicial killings across the country.