Labour Party Senators Demand Apology From Edo Governor Over Peter Obi Threats.
The Labour Party (LP) Senate Caucus has issued a strong rebuke against Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for threatening remarks directed at the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The caucus, comprising Senators Victor Umeh, Ireti Kingibe, Ezea Okey, and Tony Nwoye, condemned the governor’s statements as “executive rascality and abuse of office,” demanding an immediate retraction and a public apology to Nigerians for violating constitutional principles.
The controversy arose following Governor Okpebholo’s comments at a public event in Uromi, Esan North-East, on 18 July 2025, during a defection rally for Hon. Marcus Onobun, a former PDP lawmaker joining the All Progressives Congress (APC). Okpebholo warned that Obi must not visit Edo State without prior security clearance, alleging that Obi’s recent visit on 7 July, during which he donated £15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing in Benin, led to violence and the deaths of three people. “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped £15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed,” the governor claimed, adding that Obi’s safety could not be guaranteed without his permission.
In a joint statement released on 19 July 2025, the LP senators described the governor’s remarks as “disturbing and shocking,” emphasising that they contravene Section 41(1) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement and expression for all citizens. “Mr Peter Obi is a citizen of Nigeria, and his movement is guaranteed and should not be curtailed by sheer executive lawlessness,” the statement read. The caucus highlighted Obi’s contributions to nation-building and sustainable development, asserting that he deserves protection, not threats, for his philanthropic efforts.
The senators called on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Director General of the Department of State Services, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, to take note of the governor’s remarks, describing them as a threat to Obi’s life and personal security. They urged Okpebholo to withdraw his statement and apologise unreservedly to Nigerians for undermining the constitution he swore to uphold. “The Nigeria of this century cannot afford to condone executive rascality and abuse of office by public officers,” the statement concluded.
The LP House of Representatives Caucus echoed these sentiments, labelling Okpebholo’s comments as “uncivil, unconstitutional, and unbecoming of a public official.” Led by Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, the caucus condemned the governor’s claims as baseless, noting that no evidence was provided to support allegations of violence linked to Obi’s visit. They urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and cautioned that no harm should befall Obi, warning that such rhetoric fuels intolerance and undermines democratic values.
The backlash extended beyond the LP, with the Igbo Community Association in the Federal Capital Territory and the youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide condemning the governor’s statements as reckless and inflammatory. They called for greater caution in public discourse to avoid escalating ethnic tensions. The controversy has sparked widespread debate, with posts on X reflecting public outrage over the governor’s remarks and support for Obi’s right to free movement.
As the 2027 elections loom, the LP’s swift response signals its commitment to defending its prominent figures and upholding democratic principles. The caucus’s call for accountability underscores the need for public officials to foster unity and respect constitutional rights, particularly in a politically charged climate.
