Group Urges US To Ban Edo Governor Over Threat To Peter Obi

A Nigerian civil society group has asked the United States Embassy in Abuja to impose a visa ban on Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his family over comments seen as a threat to Labour Party leader and former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The group, known as the Leadership & Accountability Initiative, submitted the petition on Monday. They raised concerns over remarks made by Governor Okpebholo on July 18, 2025, which they believe endangered Obi’s safety and freedom of movement. The governor was alleged to have warned that Obi should not visit Edo State, suggesting that any consequences would be his own to bear.

The group described the governor’s words as a direct attack on a political opponent. They said it was not just careless talk, but a form of intimidation backed by state authority. In their view, this amounts to misuse of power and poses a threat to Nigeria’s democracy. They called it part of a broader pattern, claiming that another governor in a neighbouring state had recently barred Obi from entering for political reasons.

They argued that this emerging trend sends a dangerous message: that opposition voices can be bullied or silenced by those in power. The group said this goes against Nigeria’s constitution and the principles of political tolerance. They urged the US government to respond with travel restrictions against Okpebholo and his family as a way to discourage similar behaviour.

Legal action is also underway. A law firm, Festus Ogun Legal (FOLEGAL), sent a letter to Governor Okpebholo, giving him a seven-day deadline to withdraw his statements and apologise to Peter Obi and Nigerians. The letter described the governor’s remarks as unconstitutional and illegal, pointing out that every Nigerian has the right to move freely within the country.

The law firm referred to Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution, which protects freedom of movement. They also cited court rulings that state governors do not have the authority to stop anyone from entering a state without legal grounds. According to the firm, requiring Peter Obi to seek security clearance before visiting Edo State is both unlawful and unacceptable.

In the letter, the lawyers made it clear that if the governor fails to respond within the given time, they may take the matter to court to protect constitutional rights and democratic values in the country.

The case has sparked debate around freedom, abuse of power, and the rights of opposition figures in Nigeria’s political space. As it unfolds, both the government and civil society are being closely watched, with growing calls for respect of democratic freedoms.