The Obidient Movement has condemned what it describes as “dangerous and divisive rhetoric” by the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Monday Okpebholo, following the circulation of a video in which the governor allegedly warned Mr. Peter Obi never to set foot in Edo State without prior notification.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Nana Kazaure, the movement described the governor’s remarks as a clear affront to the constitutional rights of all Nigerian citizens.
“For the avoidance of doubt,” the statement reads, “Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees the right of every Nigerian citizen to move freely and reside in any part of the country.”
The Obidient Movement emphasised that it is both “disturbing and constitutionally indefensible” for any state governor to issue threats or place unlawful restrictions on the movement of a citizen, particularly one like Mr. Obi, whose visits to various states have been humanitarian and non-political in nature.
The group also expressed concern over what it sees as a troubling pattern of hostility, recalling a similar threat previously made by the Governor of Benue State against the former Anambra governor.
“In both instances,” the group noted, “Mr. Obi was offering goodwill and humanitarian assistance to communities left underserved by their state administrations.”
The statement further warned that these threats should not be taken lightly, stating, “Should anything untoward happen to His Excellency Peter Obi, Nigerians should know where to look. Governors are the chief security officers of their states, and their utterances have serious implications.”
The Obidient Movement called on Nigerians, civil society groups, and the international community to take note of what it called “the rising tide of political intolerance and reckless speech” that could endanger national unity and public safety.
“Nobody, no matter how highly placed, has the right to threaten or intimidate fellow Nigerians. Nigeria belongs to us all,” the statement concluded.
