Odinkalu Condemns Edo Governor Okpebholo Over Threat to Peter Obi’s Security
Prominent human rights lawyer and former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has strongly criticised the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, over a controversial warning issued to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Odinkalu described the governor’s remarks as undemocratic, reckless, and a dangerous display of political intolerance.
Governor Okpebholo had sparked widespread backlash after he declared that Peter Obi should not enter Edo State without first informing the state government, warning that Obi’s safety would not be guaranteed otherwise.
The governor made the comments during a political event to welcome a federal lawmaker, Marcus Onobun, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Okpebholo referenced Obi’s July 7 visit to the state, during which the former Anambra governor donated ₦15 million to St. Philomena Hospital’s nursing school in Benin City.
He alleged that violence broke out shortly after the visit, resulting in the deaths of three people.
“The man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped ₦15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed,” Governor Okpebholo declared, adding, “He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. I’m the new sheriff in town. If he comes without clearance, his security will not be guaranteed.”
These comments immediately drew criticism from various quarters, but it was Odinkalu’s response that drew significant attention. The legal scholar lambasted the governor’s attempt to frame Peter Obi’s visit as a threat to public peace, stating that no Nigerian needs permission from a state governor to move freely within the country.
He argued that the governor’s remarks were not only unconstitutional but also irresponsible, especially given the volatile security climate in parts of Nigeria.
According to Odinkalu, such statements could be interpreted as incitement or even a veiled threat against a political opponent. He emphasized that Peter Obi, like every other citizen, has the constitutional right to travel and engage with Nigerians anywhere in the country, without having to seek clearance from political officeholders.
“This is not about politics. It’s about principle,” Odinkalu stated. “Governors do not own states. Edo belongs to Nigerians, not to one man who happens to occupy the governor’s seat temporarily.”
Many political observers believe the governor’s outburst may be part of rising tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly as Peter Obi continues to draw crowds and maintain relevance in the national conversation.
The warning also raises fresh concerns about the weaponization of security and state power against opposition figures, a pattern critics say has been growing in Nigerian politics.
The Labour Party is yet to issue an official response to the incident, but party loyalists and Obi supporters have already condemned the governor’s remarks on social media, calling them provocative and hostile. Meanwhile, civil society groups are calling on the Nigerian Police Force and federal authorities to investigate the security implications of the statement and ensure that no political actor feels emboldened to intimidate or obstruct the rights of others.
As political temperatures continue to rise in Edo and across Nigeria, the incident serves as a test of the nation’s democratic maturity, particularly its respect for opposition voices and civil liberties in a fragile political climate.
