Tuesday, July 22, 2025 - The Leadership & Accountability Initiative, has submitted a petition to the United States Embassy in Abuja, calling for a visa ban on Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his family over what it described as “state-sanctioned threats” against former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Peter Obi.
In the petition, dated Monday, the group accused Governor
Okpebholo of threatening Obi’s safety and freedom of movement following
comments allegedly made on Friday, July 18, 2025.
According to the group, Governor Okpebholo had warned that
Peter Obi should not step into Edo State for any reason, saying, “whatever he
sees, he should take”—a remark the group interpreted as a direct threat to
Obi’s life and security.
The petition described the statement as a grave attack on
the right to free movement and political participation, especially targeting a
leading opposition figure. It called the incident a clear example of
state-sponsored intimidation, abuse of office, and a dangerous erosion of
Nigeria’s democratic values.
The group stressed that the incident was not isolated,
citing a recent case where another state governor allegedly barred Obi from
entering a neighbouring state on political grounds.
According to the petitioners, this emerging pattern poses a
serious threat to multiparty democracy in Nigeria and undermines constitutional
freedoms. They condemned the use of state authority to suppress dissent and
intimidate political opponents, labelling it a breach of both human rights and
democratic norms.
The group urged the U.S. government to consider imposing
travel restrictions and diplomatic sanctions on Governor Okpebholo and his
immediate family, saying such measures would serve as a deterrent to further
political repression in the country.
The statement read, “We write as concerned stakeholders in
the protection and promotion of democratic values, civil liberties, and
political tolerance within the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We wish to bring to
your urgent attention a grave threat to democratic stability and political
coexistence issued by the sitting Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday
Okpebholo, against one of Nigeria’s most prominent political figures and former
presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
“On or about Friday, the 18th of July, 2025, Governor
Okpebholo openly threatened Mr. Obi against visiting Edo State for any reason
whatsoever, warning ominously that “whatever he sees, he should take.” This
direct threat to the life, freedom of movement, and political participation of
a Nigerian citizen-more so a leading opposition figure-amounts to
state-sanctioned intimidation, abuse of office, and a dangerous assault on the
democratic space.
“We recall that just weeks prior, another sitting governor
in a neighboring state reportedly denied Mr. Obi entry into the state on
similar political grounds. This disturbing pattern indicates an orchestrated
attempt to isolate, silence, and possibly endanger the life of Mr. Obi, and by
extension, undermine multiparty democracy in Nigeria.
“Reasons for International Sanction:Violation of Democratic
Norms: Threatening political opponents with violence or obstruction violates
the tenets of democracy and the rule of law.
“Abuse of State Power: The governor is using state resources
and influence to repress opposition and discourage dissent,” they added.
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.”
“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,” the letter read.
“We are confident that this modest request will be met
within seven 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.”
“We trust that you are properly advised and would act
accordingly,” the letter added.
0 Comments