Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called on Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo to immediately retract the threats he recently issued against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Falana’s demand came in a statement on Sunday, following Okpebholo’s remarks at a political rally in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area.
At the rally, Okpebholo had warned Obi not to visit Edo without first notifying him or obtaining security clearance.
“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,” the governor said.
Falana described the comments as a violation of constitutional provisions safeguarding the right to life.
“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) which guarantees the fundamental right of every citizen to life,” he said.
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He further reminded the governor of his constitutional duties:
“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 urged swift action, warning that failure to retract the statement could prompt legal measures.
“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,” he advised.
The senior lawyer concluded with a caution saying, “Mr. Obi should act with utmost urgency in view of the prevalence of mob justice and other forms of extrajudicial killings in the country.”