The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has condemned what it described as a “veiled death threat” issued by Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, against the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
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In a strongly worded statement on Friday, the National Secretary of CUPP and a Labour Party chieftain, Chief Peter Ameh, said the governor’s remarks were not only unconstitutional but also amounted to “a direct assault on Nigeria’s democratic values.”
Governor Okpebholo, while receiving former PDP lawmaker Hon. Marcus Onobun into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Uromi, Esan North-East, had warned that Obi must not enter Edo State without his clearance. He accused the former Anambra State governor of hypocrisy and linked a past visit by Obi, during which he donated ₦15 million to a nursing school, to a subsequent crisis in Benin that reportedly left three people dead.
Reacting, CUPP’s Ameh described the governor’s utterances as “utterly deplorable,” stating that the threat violated the constitutional rights of freedom of movement and expression guaranteed to all Nigerian citizens.
“Governor Okpebholo’s recorded warning that Peter Obi must not enter Edo without his permission and that his security ‘is not guaranteed’ is a veiled death threat against a law-abiding Nigerian,” Ameh said.
“This is unacceptable conduct from a sitting governor. Rather than uphold the Constitution he swore to defend, the governor is undermining the rule of law and the principles of democracy.”
Ameh further stated that Peter Obi’s nationwide visits to support schools, hospitals, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) should be celebrated, not politicised.
“Should a governor fear acts of charity?” he asked. “Such conduct by Okpebholo is a disgrace and a betrayal of the Edo people’s trust. Nigeria’s democracy must not be reduced to threats and intimidation.”
He called on civil society organisations, traditional rulers, political leaders, and the Nigerian public to rise in defense of democratic norms and constitutional freedoms.
“This incident must not be swept under the carpet. The rule of law must prevail. No one, regardless of position, should be allowed to trample on the rights of fellow citizens. Edo State and Nigeria deserve better than this shameful display of leadership,” he added.
Governor Okpebholo had also alleged during his speech that key opposition leaders had contributed to national insecurity and economic sabotage during their time in office, accusing them of corruption and serial political opportunism.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has yet to issue an official statement on the governor’s remarks.
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