July 19, 2025 | Abuja, Nigeria
ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication, Accountability Lab Nigeria, and Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) have reviewed, with great concern, a viral video showing the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, making inflammatory and threatening remarks directed at a prominent opposition figure, Mr Peter Obi.
While addressing party supporters during the defection of a federal lawmaker to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Governor made remarks that violate democratic norms, undermine political freedom, and dangerously flirt with incitement, revealing a troubling disregard for the principles of tolerance and pluralism essential to any democracy. In the video, Governor Okpebholo is quoted as saying:
‘Tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me. His security will never be guaranteed… Whatever happens to him, he will take it… I am the new sheriff in town’.
These are not offhand political jests. They constitute a direct threat to the life and liberty of a fellow citizen. More disturbingly, these remarks come from a sitting Governor whose primary constitutional responsibility is to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors within his state, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnic origin, or belief.
Such a public display of intolerance, authoritarian bravado, and politicisation of state power should deeply worry every Nigerian and every international stakeholder invested in the survival of democratic governance in Nigeria.
Our Democratic Concerns
We raise the following fundamental issues for national and international attention:
- Assault on Constitutional Rights
Mr Peter Obi, like every Nigerian citizen, is guaranteed the rights to freedom of movement, peaceful assembly, political association, and expression under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). No Governor elected or otherwise has the legal or moral authority to abridge these rights through threats or coercion. - State Capture of Security Apparatus
The language of ‘your security will not be guaranteed’ implies a weaponisation of the state’s security institutions for partisan ends. This is a red flag indicating a collapse of neutral state security architecture and a breach of Nigeria’s obligation under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. - Culture of Political Violence and Impunity
Referencing the death of three citizens allegedly following Mr Obi’s previous visit, the Governor’s remarks insinuate a linkage between political activity and orchestrated violence. This further deepens the culture of impunity and risks normalising electoral violence and intimidation ahead of the 2026 off-cycle election in Edo State. - Precedent of Intimidation Against the Opposition
This incident echoes an emerging pattern across Nigeria where state actors and political incumbents use access to state power to bully, silence, or physically endanger opposition figures. A similar case occurred in Benue State on April 14, 2025, when the Governor used threats and obstructions to frustrate Mr Obi’s visit. The recurrence of such actions signals a coordinated pattern of political intolerance and misuse of state power to intimidate opposition voices, further eroding the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Our Calls to Action
In light of this dangerous precedent, we call:
- for an immediate public retraction and unreserved apology from Governor Okpebholo for these statements, and assurance of safety for all Nigerians wishing to engage politically or otherwise in Edo State.
- on the Nigeria Police Force and the State Secret Service (SSS) to investigate this threat and provide protection for individuals facing political intimidation.
- on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take note of these developments ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state and incorporate them into its risk mapping and electoral integrity assessment.
- on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to open a formal inquiry into this incident as a potential abuse of office and a threat to democratic order.
We urge all the stakeholders in Nigeria’s democratic journey to reiterate the importance of democratic freedoms and attempts by government authorities at any level to threaten citizens.
Nigeria’s democracy is imperfect, but threats like this bring us closer to its total derailment. Governor Okpebholo’s statements are not mere political rhetoric; they represent a clear and present danger to democratic peace, political pluralism, and the rule of law in Nigeria. We remind the Governor and all public officeholders that power is held in trust, not as an entitlement, and that democratic societies thrive on competition, not coercion.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Chinomso Momoh
Programmes Manager
ImpactHouse Centre for Development Communication
chinomso@impacthouse.org.ng
About ImpactHouse
ImpactHouse is an Abuja-based nonprofit working to improve the quality of civic conversations among everyday citizens in Africa, to drive responsive and accountable governance. Our work spans critical areas such as civic participation and good governance, gender equity and justice, education and human rights, and media and civil society development.
About Accountability Lab Nigeria
Accountability Lab Nigeria is a nonprofit organisation working to improve governance and accountability in Nigeria by supporting active citizens, responsible leaders, and accountable institutions. It is part of a global network of Accountability Labs across multiple countries.
About Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI)
Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) is a nonprofit, non-partisan, non-governmental organisation that advances good governance, democratic rights, public policy, and public engagement.
