A civil society organisation, Leadership and Accountability Initiative, has petitioned the United States Embassy in Abuja, seeking a visa ban on Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and members of his family over what it described as “state-sanctioned threats” against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The group submitted the petition on Monday, alleging that Okpebholo made threats against Obi’s safety and freedom of movement during a statement reportedly made on Friday, July 18, 2025.
According to the petition, the governor had said that Obi should not visit Edo State “for any reason,” warning that “whatever he sees, he should take.”
The group interpreted this as a direct threat to the life and safety of the opposition figure.
Leadership and Accountability Initiative described the statement as a violation of democratic norms, human rights, and an abuse of state power, warning that such threats endanger Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
The petition called on the US government to impose travel restrictions and other diplomatic sanctions on Okpebholo and his family as a deterrent against political repression.
The group also cited a similar incident involving a governor of a neighbouring state, who allegedly barred Obi from entering the state for political reasons. It warned that the trend of using state power to intimidate opposition figures undermines constitutional freedoms and international standards.
Meanwhile, a legal firm, Festus Ogun Legal (FOLEGAL), has given Okpebholo a seven-day ultimatum to withdraw the alleged threats and issue a public apology to Obi and Nigerians.
In a letter dated July 21 and signed by Managing Partner, Festus Ogun, the firm described the governor’s warning that Obi “must not come to Edo without security clearance” as unconstitutional.
The firm cited Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement for all Nigerian citizens, and referenced a Court of Appeal ruling affirming that no governor has the power to restrict a citizen’s movement without legal backing.
FOLEGAL insisted that subjecting Obi to any form of security clearance before visiting any part of Nigeria amounts to a violation of his constitutional rights.
The firm warned that failure to meet its demand within the specified time could result in legal action to enforce Obi’s fundamental rights.
