'Threat To Peter Obi Is A Threat Against All Of Us,' Atiku Warns Following Edo Governor's Controversial Statement

 

---

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has cautioned that any threat against Peter Obi or any member of the opposition coalition is a threat to all of them.

Atiku contested the 2023 presidential election as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Peter Obi ran under the Labour Party. Both politicians are now part of a newly formed coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu and dislodging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power.

This development comes on the heels of a warning issued by Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who cautioned Peter Obi against visiting the state without prior notice to him.

Governor Okpebholo had stated that Mr. Obi "must not come to Edo without security clearance." He reiterated the need for him to notify and obtain security clearance before engaging in any public activity in the state.

Reacting to the governor's threats, Atiku tweeted, "Let it be known that a threat against Peter Obi or any of us is a threat against ALL of us!"

The situation highlights the complex dynamics of political tensions in Nigeria, where opposition leaders often find themselves at odds with state governors and other political figures.

SaharaReporters reported on Monday that a legal firm, Festus Ogun Legal (FOLEGAL), had given Governor Okpebholo a seven-day ultimatum to retract unconstitutional threats and tender a public apology to Obi and the people of Nigeria.

The law firm, in a letter to the governor dated July 21, titled "Threat to Mr. Peter Obi is Illegal and Unconstitutional," and signed by Festus Ogun, Esq., Managing Partner, stated that threatening Obi not to visit Edo State without security clearance from his office is not supported by law.

The firm cited Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and some decided cases by various courts, which hold that a governor lacks the right or power to restrict the freedom of movement of any person without recourse to law.

The letter stated, "With respect, threatening Mr. Peter Obi not to visit Edo State without security clearance from your office is certainly not supported by law. Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) provides that every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.

"Similarly, the Court of Appeal in Faith Okafor v Lagos State Government (2016) LPELR-41066 (CA) made it very clear that a Governor lacks the right or power to restrict the freedom of movement of any person without recourse to law."

The law firm described it as preposterous for the governor to subject Obi to any form of security clearance or approval before he can visit Edo State, regardless of the purpose.

"It is, in fact, a gross violation of Mr. Peter Obi's constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of movement," the firm insisted.

"Considering the foregoing, we hereby respectfully request that you retract the unconstitutional threats and tender a public apology to Mr. Peter Obi and the good people of Nigeria.”

"We are confident that this modest request will be met within 7 days of receipt of this letter. In the unlikely event that our request is not met within the timeframe, we may be compelled to institute a fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit against you, in the interest of our constitutional democracy and the rule of law,” it added.