By Muhammad B. Muhammad
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that any threat directed at Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, constitutes a threat to all Nigerians.
Atiku’s statement follows a recent controversy sparked by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who cautioned Obi against visiting the state without prior security clearance.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, Atiku asserted: “A threat against Peter Obi or any of us is a threat against all of us!”
The uproar began after Obi visited Benin City on July 7, where he donated N15 million to the School of Nursing Sciences at St. Philomena’s Hospital to aid ongoing projects.
Following the visit, Governor Okpebholo’s spokesperson, Fred Itua, raised concerns over Obi’s failure to obtain necessary security clearance amid heightened insecurity in the state, especially attacks targeting religious leaders.
Clarifying his position, Governor Okpebholo stated he did not issue any threat to Obi but emphasized the importance of protocol for high-profile visitors.
“The governor only stressed the need for politically exposed individuals to notify and obtain clearance before engaging in public activities within the state,” the statement read.
Despite this clarification, the governor’s remarks were met with sharp criticism. The Labour Party Senate caucus, including Senators Victor Umeh, Ireti Kingibe, Ezea Okey, and Tony Nwoye, described the governor’s stance as “executive rascality and abuse of office.” Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) also urged Okpebholo to retract the statement and publicly apologize.
So far, Peter Obi has remained silent on the matter. However, in an unrelated development, he recently called for urgent intervention in the crisis affecting dental students at the University of Calabar, where graduation delays due to quota issues have sparked national concern. “No student should suffer due to leadership failure,” Obi stated.
Atiku’s intervention also comes shortly after he, Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, David Mark, and Rotimi Amaechi announced their alliance under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), forming a united front ahead of the 2027 presidential elections.
Sahel Reporters News
