Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Femi Falana, has called on Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State to immediately retract recent threats made against the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
Falana’s reaction followed remarks attributed to the governor during a political rally in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, where he reportedly warned that Obi must not enter Edo State without prior notification or security clearance.
The governor said: “There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking.”
In a statement released yesterday, Falana condemned the governor’s comments, describing them as a direct violation of fundamental rights enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights instruments.
“The threat to Mr Peter Obi’s life by the so-called ‘new sheriff in town’ contravenes Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), as well as Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which guarantee the right to life,” Falana stated.
He emphasized that under Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, the security and welfare of citizens remain the primary responsibility of government, urging Governor Okpebholo to publicly retract the threat, issue an apology to Obi, and affirm his safety within Edo State.
Falana also advised that if the governor fails to withdraw the statement, Obi should seek legal redress by filing a suit at the Federal High Court in Benin to enforce his fundamental rights.
“Mr Obi should act with utmost urgency in view of the prevalence of mob justice and other forms of extrajudicial killings in the country,” he said.
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