CUPP sees “thuggery” in Okpebholo’s abuse of power in a state with millions of Obidients who gave him 71% of the votes in the last election
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Edo Governor Monday Okpebholo’s warning to Peter Obi not to visit Edo again without his approval has been decried by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), calling it “thuggery” and “disgraceful” in a state with millions of Obi’s supporters who gave him 71 per cent of Edo’s votes in the last presidential election.
Okpebholo, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) mulling defection to Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday threatened Obi of the Labour Party (LP) not to venture into Edo without prior notification and approval from him, even for a humanitarian outreach.
This is the second Governor to ban Obi from an APC domain, counting Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia, whose state Obi wanted to visit in April for humanitarian purposes. Obi later cancelled the trip.
Okpebholo said Obi may enter Edo at the risk of his own life, but “If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking.
“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped N15m. 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.
“His visit coincided with a resurgence of violence in the state, and this will not be tolerated.
“The man wey say e no get ‘shishi’, I am sending a direct message to him. He cannot come to Edo without telling me. A new Sheriff is in town.
“He came the other day and donated N15m. By the time he left after donating the money, there was crisis and three people died in Benin.
“Tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me. We are not lobbying anyone to join APC, they are coming because they see the results of our governance. In 2027, 2.5 million votes from Edo are guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu.
“Last week, we finally buried the PDP in Edo State. I saw someone crying at Ring Road, talking about having 65 per cent. That is what we call social media winning.
“When I said I would become the Governor, I meant it. Today, we are turning Edo into a construction site, and they can see it.”
CUPP reacted in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Peter Ameh, saying Okpebholo’s threat shows he is not aligned with the Constitution which guarantees freedom of movement for citizens.
“Okpebholo’s recorded remarks, warning Obi not to ‘dare’ enter Edo State without his permission and stating that his security ‘is not guaranteed,’ constitute a veiled death threat against a law-abiding citizen exercising his constitutional rights,” the statement said.
CUPP urged other political leaders, civil society organisations and activists to speak up against “an unacceptable display of thuggery.”
It argued that “His [Obi’s] only offence is traveling across the country to support hospitals, schools, nurses, and IDPs at their points of need. Should a governor fear acts of charity?
“Governor Monday Okpebholo’s threat against Peter Obi is a disgraceful act that strikes at the heart of Nigeria’s democracy. It is a direct assault on the constitutional rights to freedom of movement, expression, and association, and it reflects a dangerous arrogance that has no place in governance.
“This incident must serve as a wake-up call for Nigerians to defend their constitutional protections and demand accountability from those in power.
“The rule of law must prevail, and no individual, no matter their position, should be allowed to trample on the rights of citizens. Edo State and Nigeria deserve better than this shameful display of leadership.”
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