LP lawmakers fault Okpebholo’s warning to Peter Obi -

Members of the Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives have faulted the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, over his warning that the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, should not visit Edo State without his permission.

Recall that at a public event on Friday, July 18, Okpebholo warned that Peter Obi should not visit Edo State without prior permission and security clearance, warning that his safety cannot be guaranteed otherwise.

“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped N1.5million(sic)…₦15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance,” the governor had said.

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While reacting, the LP lawmakers caucus, in a press statement signed by their leader, Afam Ogene, on Saturday, urged President Bola Tinubu, to caution Okpebholo, saying such utterances constitute an open threat to the life and security of Obi.

The group strongly rebuked Okpebholo, describing his comments as “uncivil, unconstitutional, undemocratic, and unbecoming” of a public servant in such a high office.

The LP caucus emphasised that Obi, like any other Nigerian citizen, has “the constitutional right to visit any part of the country without fear of molestation, threat to life, or harm, as guaranteed under a democratic system”.

The statement read in part, “Mr. Peter Obi’s philanthropic efforts nationwide embody his humanity and empathy for the people, transcending political affiliations, ethnicity, and other divides.

“Rather than being vilified or incited against, he should be commended for supporting human capital development in the nation. As a champion of democracy, nation-building, and sustainable development, Peter Obi deserves protection and support from all who share these values.

“It’s bewildering to hear such an outrageous outburst from a state governor, particularly one with a background as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The level of conduct, reasoning, and delivery displayed is shocking, especially from a supposedly democratically elected official and chief security officer of a state.

“What manner of example do we set for the younger generation, especially as regards public conduct, civility, respect for human rights and the rule of law, as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?”

The lawmakers reminded the governor that politics ought not be a game of life or death, adding that no one deserves to be harmed on account of his or her political beliefs or association.

According to them, politics of bitterness, pettiness and violence should never be encouraged in a democracy, or by people who claim to be democrats.