The Obidient Movement on Saturday described Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State as a threat to national unity.
Nana Kazaure, the movement’s Director of Strategic Communications, said Okpebholo should be held responsible if anything happens to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Kazaure was reacting to Okpebholo’s threat that Obi should not step foot in Edo State without informing him.
In a statement she signed, Kazaure faulted the governor’s stance, stressing that the constitution allows Nigerians freedom of movement.
The statement reads: “The Obidient Movement has observed with deep concern a circulating video in which the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Monday Okpebholo, allegedly warns His Excellency Peter Obi never to set foot in Edo State again without preinforming him.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees the right of every Nigerian citizen to move freely and reside in any part of the country.
“It is therefore disturbing and constitutionally indefensible for Governor Okpebholo to threaten or seek to restrict this fundamental right.
“Even more troubling is the pattern emerging from such dangerous utterances. This is not an isolated incident. We recall a similar threat previously issued by the Governor of Benue State against the person of His Excellency Mr. Obi.
“In both instances, Peter Obi was on missions of goodwill and charity, offering humanitarian support to citizens neglected by the very governors and government now issuing these threats.
“We wish to alert Nigerians and the international community that these threats should not be dismissed lightly. Should anything untoward happen to His Excellency Peter Obi, Nigerians should know where to look.
“These governors are the chief security officers of their respective states, and their utterances carry weight, not just in words, but in potential consequences.
“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to speak out against this descent into political intolerance and recklessness. Nigeria belongs to all of us.
“No individual, no matter how highly placed, should attempt to fan the embers of division or incite violence with careless, unlawful rhetoric.”
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