The Obidient Movement on Saturday said Okpebholo should be held responsible if anything happens to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Kazaure was reacting to Okpebholo’s threat that Obi should not step foot in Edo State without informing him.
In a viral video, Okpebholo was heard saying, Obi’s coming to Edo coincided with resurgence of violence in the state and Obi to stay away from the state, saying his safety was not guaranteed.
Weighing in, Kazaure in a statement she signed, faulted the governor’s stance, stressing that the constitution allows Nigerians freedom of movement.
The statement said: “Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) guarantees the right of every Nigerian citizen to move freely and reside in any part of the country.
“It is therefore disturbing and constitutionally indefensible for Governor Okpebholo to threaten or seek to restrict this fundamental right.”
The group also linked Okpebholo’s alleged remarks to a pattern of threats against Obi, recalling a similar situation involving the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia.
“This is not an isolated incident. We recall a similar threat previously issued by the Governor of Benue State against the person of His Excellency Mr. Obi,” the group said.
The Obidient Movement noted that Peter Obi was on missions of goodwill and charity, offering humanitarian support to citizens neglected by the “very governors and government now issuing these threats.”
The movement warned Nigerians and the international community not to dismiss the threats lightly.
“Should anything untoward happen to His Excellency Peter Obi, Nigerians should know where to look,” the group said.
“These governors are the chief security officers of their respective states, and their utterances carry weight, not just in words, but in potential consequences.”
The Movement urged Nigerians to reject what it described as political intolerance and reckless statements capable of inciting violence.
“We urge all well-meaning Nigerians to speak out against this descent into political intolerance and recklessness. Nigeria belongs to all of us,” the statement said.
“No individual, no matter how highly placed, should attempt to fan the embers of division or incite violence with careless, unlawful rhetoric.”(Daily trust)
