|By Adejumo Adekunle
…Demands apology and retraction of “clearance” statement
…Warns of incitement, urges APC, INEC to take action
A leading civil society organisation, Global Rights, has called on Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State to retract what it describes as an unconstitutional and inflammatory statement against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and issue a public apology.
Governor Okpebholo, during a public event on Friday, July 18, 2025, declared that Obi must obtain “clearance” from him before entering Edo State. The statement has since triggered outrage, with Global Rights insisting that no Nigerian governor has the legal authority to restrict the movement of any citizen.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Abiodun Baiyewu, the group described the governor’s remarks as “legally absurd, dangerous, and unbecoming of a political figure,” adding that such language could incite political violence and undermine democratic freedoms.
“Obi, like any Nigerian, is protected by Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which guarantees the right to move freely throughout Nigeria and reside in any part thereof,” the statement reads.
The group said the governor’s tone carried a veiled threat, suggesting that the safety of Mr Obi and his supporters could be jeopardised if they entered Edo without his endorsement.
“It is deeply troubling and irresponsible,” Baiyewu noted. “If any harm were to come to Mr Obi or his supporters, the source of the threat would be clear.”
Global Rights also cited Section 92(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which prohibits political speech that incites violence or promotes ethnic, religious, or regional hatred, stressing that Okpebholo’s conduct breached both the spirit and letter of the law.
“Senator Okpebholo’s statement not only disrespects the Constitution, but also attempts to place him above it,” the group stated.
The organisation demanded that the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum publicly condemn the governor’s remarks and prevail upon him to withdraw them. It also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to commence a fair and transparent investigation into the comments, citing the potential risk they pose to national unity and political stability.
Quoting Section 92(1) of the Electoral Act, Global Rights emphasized: “A political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure religious, ethnic, tribal or sectional feelings.”
Global Rights reiterated that political leaders must be held accountable for statements that could incite division or violence, especially in a country as diverse and fragile as Nigeria.
