The OBIdient Movement has urged Nigerians and the international community to take the Edo Governor, Monday Okpebholo’s, dangerous utterances on Peter Obi, seriously.
Naijaonpoint reports that Okpebholo warned Peter Obi not to visit the state without security clearance.
Okpebholo gave the warning while formally receiving Hon. Marcus Onobun, the last remaining opposition federal lawmaker in the State, into the ruling party’s fold.
Reacting, the OBIdient Movement in a statement issued on Friday, July 18, 2025, by its Director of Strategic Communications, Nana Kazaure, stated that the remark is unconstitutional and restricts the fundamental right of free movement guaranteed by Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution.
The OBIdient Movement pointed out that Okpebholo’s remark is not an isolated incident, recalling a similar threat from Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia, against Peter Obi while on a humanitarian mission.
Peter Obi’s supporters warned that if anything happens to the former Governor of Anambra State, Okpebholo and Alia, who made these threats, should be held accountable, given their roles as chief security officers in their states.
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 @PeterObi never to set foot in Edo State again without pre-informing 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.”