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Okpebholo Must Apologise For Threatening Peter Obi – Rights Group

Published

5 months ago

July 21, 2025

Editor

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.

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.

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.

News

Trump’s Airstrikes: Halt Military Cooperation With US Immediately – Sheikh Gumi Tells Tinubu Govt

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt all military cooperation with the United States following reported US airstrikes.

Gumi warned that American involvement could worsen Nigeria’s security challenges and undermine national sovereignty.

Gumi made the call in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Friday.

He said while Islam permits the fight against terrorism, such actions should only be carried out by what he described as “clean hands,” arguing that the United States lacks the moral authority to lead such efforts because of its global military record.

According to the cleric, Nigeria made a mistake by allowing foreign powers to play a role in its counterterrorism operations, insisting that “terrorists do not truly fight terrorists” and that such interventions often result in civilian casualties and hidden political motives.

Gumi warned that allowing Nigeria to become a theatre of war would attract anti-US forces into the country, further destabilising it.

He also cautioned that US involvement, particularly under claims of protecting Christians, could polarise the country along religious lines.

The cleric further argued that airstrikes alone cannot defeat terrorism, stressing that effective counterterrorism requires strong ground operations, which he said Nigeria has enough personnel to carry out if properly organised.

“This is the mistake Nigeria has made. Terrorists don’t fight terrorists in truth; they may only kill innocent people and have ulterior motives behind the drama of fighting ‘terror’.

“As a principle, no nation should allow its land to be a theater of war. And no nation should allow its neighbors to be their enemies.

“If Nigeria wants military assistance, China, Turkey, and Pakistan can do the job effectively,” part of his statement reads.

News

Shehu Sani Reacts To Trump’s Military Strikes In Nigeria

Published

11 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Editor

Former lawmaker, senator Shehu Sani, has reacted to reports of United States military strikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North-West, saying foreign powers cannot permanently handle the country’s security challenges.

Sani made the remarks on Friday via his X handle while responding to a post by the United States Africa Command, AFRICOM, which indicated that the strikes were carried out in coordination with Nigerian authorities.

According to him, if the reported strikes were indeed a joint operation with Nigerian security agencies, then such action was justifiable, given the threat posed by terrorist groups in the region.

He described terrorists operating in parts of northern Nigeria as “cancerous cells,” stressing that they survive through violence and should be confronted decisively.

Sani also dismissed narratives suggesting that terrorist attacks target only one religious group, describing such claims as false and misleading.

He said: “If actually, the military strikes against the terrorists targets in the North Western part of Nigeria were a joint operation with the ‘Nigerian Authorities’ as posted by the US AFRICOM on their verified X handle, then it’s a conscionable action.

“Terrorists have become cancerous cells in our part of the country.They live by the sword.The narrative that the evil terrorists only targets one faith, remains absolutely false and misleading.

“Again, the ultimate security and peace in our country lies with ourselves and not with the US or any foreign power. They can complimentarily or unilaterally strike, but they can’t eternally fight our battles.”