LP urges Tinubu to call Edo Governor to order over inflammatory comments on Obi

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to call Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo to order for making what it termed inflammatory comments on 2023 Presidential candidate of the party, Mr Peter Obi.

Okpebholo had at a public event on Friday, July 18, warned Obi not to visit Edo State without prior permission and security clearance as his safety would not be guaranteed otherwise.

The Labour Caucus, while responding to the threat in a statement signed by their leader, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, issued in Awka, rebuked Governor Okpebholo, describing his remarks as "Uncivil, unconstitutional, undemocratic, and unbecoming of a public servant in such a high office."

According to them, Obi, like any other Nigerian, has "the constitutional right to visit any part of the country without fear of molestation, threat to life, or harm, as guaranteed under a democratic system."

The caucus added that Obi's philanthropic efforts nationwide embody his humanity and empathy for the people, transcending political affiliations, ethnicity, and other divides, and should therefore not be vilified or incited against because he was supporting human capital development in the nation.

"It's bewildering to hear such an outrageous outburst from a state governor, particularly one with a background as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The level of conduct, reasoning, and delivery displayed is shocking, especially from a supposedly democratically elected official and chief security officer of a state.

"We, therefore, urge President Bola Tinubu to call the Edo State governor to order. And hasten to warn that no harm should come to our leader, Peter Obi, anywhere in Nigeria or beyond. The other day, it was Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state; today it is Okpebholo of Edo.

" If the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, thinks it can use scaremongering to halt the ever-growing popularity of Mr. Peter Obi, they better think again. Ensuring the security of lives and property is a fundamental responsibility of government, and Nigeria should be no exception," they added.