Human rights organisation, Global Rights, has demanded a public apology from the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, following what it described as an inciteful and unconstitutional statement directed at former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

The group also called on the leadership of the All Progressives Congress and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to publicly condemn Okpebholo’s remarks, as well as an investigation by the Independent National Electoral Commission into the matter.

“Governor Monday Okpebholo must issue a public apology to Mr. Peter Obi and his supporters and withdraw his unconstitutional and inflammatory statement. The governor’s political party and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum should publicly condemn his remarks and call on him to apologise. The dignity of public office demands accountability, not silence.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission must launch a fair and transparent investigation into this matter. This is supported by Section 92(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which prohibits political speech that incites violence or injury to ethnic, religious or regional sentiments,” the group stated in a statement by its Executive Director, Abiodun Baiyewu, on Monday.

READ ALSO:Falana, Others Slam Okpebholo As Edo Movement Ban On Obi Sparks Reactions, Controversy

Baiyewu noted that the governor’s remarks came at a delicate national moment, as the country mourned the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“On Friday, July 18, 2025, Governor Okpebholo publicly declared that Mr. Obi must obtain ‘clearance’ from him before stepping into Edo State. This claim is not only legally absurd but also capable of inciting violence and is unbecoming of a political figure whose behaviour should be above board.

“At a time when the country is reflecting on the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and leaders should be contemplating the legacy they will leave behind, the Governor’s words stand out as an example of poor judgment and disregard for democratic norms,” he stated.

Global Rights reminded the governor that the Nigerian Constitution guaranteed the freedom of movement for every citizen.

“Let us be clear. No Governor in Nigeria has the constitutional authority to restrict the movement of a Nigerian citizen within the country. Mr. Obi, like any Nigerian, is protected by Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees the right to move freely throughout Nigeria and reside in any part thereof,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:‘His Security Is Not Guaranteed,’ Okpehbolo Warns Obi Not To Come To Edo Without Informing Him

The group also pointed out that the governor’s statement carried “a veiled threat of violence,” stressing that “if any harm were to come to Mr. Obi or his supporters, the source of the threat would be clear.”

Baiyewu said while the governor made the remarks during a partisan event, “Such statements must never be excused. Leaders must be careful with their words at all times because careless speech can incite violence, and in a fragile democracy like Nigeria, it can cause real harm.”

Global Rights criticised the silence of influential voices and stakeholders, warning against placing “partisan loyalty over principle.”

“Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive without respect for fundamental freedoms. And every leader must rise to that responsibility,” the statement concluded.

The Police Service Commission has promoted 238 senior officers across various ranks.

Among those promoted are 12 Commissioners of Police who were elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspectors General.

A statement on Monday by the PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said those promoted include officers from state commands, special units, and departments such as Intelligence, Fraud, and Eastern Ports.

He added that the officers include the current Commissioners of Police in Oyo, Jigawa, Taraba, and the FCID Zonal Command in Gombe, among others.

READ ALSO:PSC Approves Retirement Of Police Officers Above 60 Amid IG Tenure Controversy

The statement partly read, “The 12 Commissioners of Police promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police are Johnson Oluwole Adenola, current Commissioner of Police, Oyo State, former Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector General of Police and also former Deputy Commissioner Operations, Delta State Command; Ako Benedict Gabriel, Current CP Anti Fraud; Ahmadu Tijani Abdullahi, CP Jigawa state; Emmanuel Adegbola Aina, acting AIG Intelligence, Force Intelligence; Omolara Ibidun Oloruntola; Hassan Abdu Yababet, CP, Police College Jos; Bretet Emmanuel Simon; CP Taraba; Enyinnaya Inonachi Adiogu, CP FCID, Gombe Zonal Command; Aminu Baba Raji; CP Special Unit, FCID, Alagbon; Mohammed Mu’azu Usman, CP Eastern Ports, Portharcourt Festus Chinedu Oko, acting AIG DLS Department, Force Headquarters and Ronke Nurat Okunade, Special Fraud Unit FCID Annex Lagos. ”

He also said 16 Deputy Commissioners of Police were promoted to substantive commissioners.

Ani noted that 27 Assistant Commissioners were promoted to Deputy Commissioners.

READ ALSO:PSC Promotes FCT CP, 13 Others To AIG

The promoted officers cut across command administration units, area commands, and police colleges.

“One Assistant Commissioner was absent for the exercise and was not promoted.

“The commission also approved the promotion of 145 Chief Superintendents of Police to Assistant Commissioners, which included General Duty Police Officers and specialists such as Officers from Airwing, Medical Doctors and Dentists, Pharmacists, Lab Scientists, physiotherapists and Nurses. Other are Priests, Airwing and aircraft Engineers,” Ani added.

The United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a strong advisory to its citizens residing in Nigeria, urging them to comply immediately with new immigration directives from the Federal Government.

The advisory comes on the heels of a severe warning issued by Donald Trump’s administration to foreign nationals who overstay their visa validity.

The embassy also cautioned that such action could result in deportation and a permanent ban on re-entering the country.

Prior to the warning by the US, Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo had stated that there would be strict penalties for foreigners who overstayed their visas in the country.

He further encouraged all foreigners in Nigeria to regularise their immigration status through the immigration amnesty portal, which would be available until the end of July.

READ ALSO:US Threatens Visa Overstayers With Lifetime Ban

Issuing a warning to its citizens, the US Embassy in Nigeria, through a statement on its website, advised all Americans residing in Nigeria to comply with the new directives to avoid penalties that may be imposed for non-compliance.

The statement dated July 7, 2025, sighted by our correspondent on Monday, read, “The US Embassy in Abuja informs US citizens that effective August 1, 2025, the Nigerian Federal Government will begin imposing strict penalties on foreigners who have overstayed their visas.

“To provide an opportunity for affected individuals to comply with immigration regulations, an online immigration amnesty portal is available until the end of July. The portal allows visitors to regularise their stay before the penalties are enforced.

“US citizens currently in Nigeria who have overstayed their visa are strongly encouraged to regularise their stay through the amnesty portal before July 31, 2025. Failure to do so may result in significant financial penalties and long-term restrictions on re-entry to Nigeria. All U.S. citizens are reminded to adhere to Nigerian visa regulations to avoid complications.”

READ ALSO:FG Extends ‘Amnesty’ For Visa Overstay

The embassy further noted that, as part of broader immigration reforms, Nigeria’s Interior Ministry introduced a $15 daily surcharge for each day a visitor overstays their visa, effective May 1, 2025. An amnesty period, during which individuals can regularise their status without incurring fines, will end on July 31, 2025.

“And the penalties after August 1 include that visitors who fail to regularise their status by the end of the amnesty period will be subject to the accrued daily surcharge. Overstays of six months or more will result in a five-year ban on re-entry.

“Overstays of one year or more will result in a 10-year re-entry ban. The newly launched portal enables holders of expired visa-on-arrival permits, lapsed single-entry visas, or overdue expatriate residence cards to: Submit applications for a stay permit online, Upload required supporting documents, Obtain clearance without visiting an immigration office, This streamlined system eliminates the need for in-person visits, long queues, and additional fees, making compliance with immigration requirements more accessible,” it added.