Nollywood actor and constitutional lawyer Kenneth Okonkwo has strongly condemned Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State over what he described as an “unprovoked and unconstitutional threat” to Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Okonkwo, a former spokesperson for the Labour Party, voiced his outrage during an interview, declaring the governor’s remarks as not only “a direct threat to Obi’s life” but also “an insult to the entire Igbo nation.”
Governor Okpebholo had earlier criticised Obi’s July 7 visit to Benin, Edo State, during which the former Anambra governor donated ₦15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences. The governor alleged that Obi failed to inform state authorities beforehand and warned that future visits without notice would not be tolerated.
Reacting, Okonkwo stated, “If a strand of hair falls from Peter Obi, then you will know he has kinsmen. This is a direct attack and threat to his life.”
He questioned the legality of the governor’s demand for prior notification, asserting, “Does it mean that 200 million Nigerians must seek permission before entering any state? The law is clear—even for a peaceful protest, you don’t need permission. So how can a Governor ask for clearance for a simple visit?”
Okonkwo also dismissed the Edo State government’s subsequent clarification that the governor’s comments were misinterpreted, calling it “belated damage control.”
He vowed to take legal action if Governor Okpebholo fails to tender a public apology to Mr. Obi, saying, “If the Governor does not apologise, I will be on his case.”
Addressing the wider implications of the governor’s comments, Okonkwo accused Okpebholo of ethnic bias: “The governor wouldn’t have tried this with a leader from Hausa or Yoruba land. I sense tribalism and ethnic bigotry. His threat against Obi was a direct attack against Ndigbo.”
While noting his occasional disagreement with Obi on style and approach, Okonkwo stressed that such differences do not justify threats to Obi’s fundamental rights or safety.
He urged Obi to become more proactive in defending his constitutional rights, referencing a similar incident involving the Benue State Governor: “Obi must stop tolerating these infringements. Silence emboldens aggression.”
Okonkwo refused to comment on remarks by Edo APC Chairman Jared Tenebe, who had also criticised Obi, dismissing him as “inconsequential.”
The incident has continued to attract nationwide attention, with calls from civil society groups and legal practitioners urging restraint and respect for constitutional freedoms across Nigeria.
