LP Senate Caucus fumes over Okpebholo’s threat to Obi, demands withdrawal, apology

The Labour Party caucus in the Nigerian Senate has expressed dismay over threats made by the governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo against the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi.

The Senate Caucus in a press statement signed by the quartet of Senators Victor Umeh, Ireti Kingibe, Ezea Okey and Tony Nwoye, which was made available to journalists in Awka insisted it will not take the threat lying low.

It said: “We implore and urge the Inspector General of Police and the Director General, Department of State Services to take note of this threat.

“We humbly urge the Executive Governor of Edo State to quickly withdraw this 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.

“We wish to remind the Executive Governor of Edo State that section 41(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, provides for Freedom of Movement and expression for all Nigerian citizens.

“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 caucus which described Obi as a champion of democracy, nation-building and sustainable development, said he deserves protection and support from the law and all who share the vision for a better Nigeria, instead of threats.

The press statement was in reaction to statements made publicly by Governor Okpebholo, in which he mocked Peter Obi as a man who claimed to be poor, but came to his state without his notice to donate money to a nursing college.

Okpebholo also threatened Obi, saying that the next time he set foot on the state without receiving permission from him, his safety would not be guaranteed.

The remarks have generated a lot of backlash on the governor, with many Nigerians condemning the statement and describing it as unguarded.

The Labour Party House of Representatives caucus in their own statement earlier had called on President Bola Tinubu to caution Okpebholo.