Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has condemned Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State over a recent threat and travel ban reportedly issued against the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.
Wabara described the governor’s comments as “executive rascality taken too far” and an abuse of power unbecoming of a public office holder.
Governor Okpebholo, last week, warned that Obi must obtain security clearance before visiting Edo State, stating that the former Anambra governor would have himself to blame if anything happened to him.
“If Peter Obi wants to come here, he should seek proper security clearance. We cannot guarantee his safety otherwise. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking,” the governor had threatened.
In a statement on Wednesday, Senator Wabara said the governor lacked the constitutional authority to restrict the lawful movement of any Nigerian citizen within the country.
He cautioned against what he termed “executive overreach,” adding that such “provocative and unguarded utterances” could ignite ethnic tension between the people of Edo State—whom he said the governor had misrepresented—and Obi’s Igbo kinsmen.
“The Nigerian Constitution grants every citizen the inalienable right to move freely and reside in any part of the country without restriction,” Wabara said.
Quoting Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), he stated: “Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereby or exit therefrom.”
“It is, therefore, executive impunity, power intoxication, political recklessness, and a gross abuse of office for a sitting governor to exhibit such intolerable dictatorial tendencies,” Wabara fumed.
He continued: “Governor Okpebholo’s threat is a shameful display of ignorance about the limits of his constitutional powers. Or is it a loud advertisement of his limited knowledge of the law, owing perhaps to academic hollowness and manifest ineptitude?”
The former Senate President demanded an immediate and unreserved public apology from the governor to Peter Obi, as well as a formal assurance of Obi’s safety during any future visits to Edo State.
“It is regrettable that a former senator like Okpebholo would so flagrantly violate the Constitution he once swore to uphold. He must publicly apologize for his reckless threat and affirm that Obi will be safe in Edo.”
Wabara advised public office holders to be civil, decorous, and mindful of their utterances, warning that reckless statements could inflame tensions in an already fragile nation.
“Leaders should be agents of national unity and cohesion, not promoters of division and threats,” he added.
The elder statesman also recalled a similar warning issued by Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State against Obi, and called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to caution his APC governors against “reckless, indecorous, and inflammatory remarks.”
Wabara condemned the profiling of citizens based on ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation, warning that such actions amounted to “joking with fire.”
He reiterated his concerns that Nigeria was slipping into a one-party state under the ruling APC, which, he alleged, is bent on silencing dissent and intimidating the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“No one should push this country to the brink through political overzealousness. The peace and stability of Nigeria must come before partisan interests,” he cautioned.
Governor Okpebholo’s comments have since sparked widespread public outrage and condemnation.
