Nollywood actor and constitutional lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, has strongly condemned Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for his recent remarks, which he believes endangered the safety of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flag bearer.
According to reports by Vanguard, Okonkwo expressed deep disappointment over what he sees as an unprovoked threat, describing it as a slight not only to Obi but to the entire Igbo community.
He stressed that no state governor holds the authority to demand that any citizen seek approval before entering any part of the country.
He further insisted that the governor must be held accountable if any harm were to come to Obi, arguing that the statements made were nothing short of a direct threat.
Okonkwo drew attention to the fact that under Nigerian law, citizens are free to move about the country without seeking clearance — not even when organizing a peaceful demonstration, let alone an ordinary visit.
The legal practitioner made it clear he completely rejects the governor’s stance and sees it as an overreach of power.
He criticized the idea that a leader could dictate who may enter a state, calling it offensive to basic rights and freedoms guaranteed by the constitution.
Okonkwo, visibly upset during the conversation, argued that the governor had failed to show any civility by making such remarks.
“If the Governor does not apologize, I will be on his case”, Okonkwo said.
He dismissed the claim by the governor’s media team that the remarks were misinterpreted, calling it an attempt to downplay an irresponsible statement.
He pointed out that people are entitled to disagree on issues but that does not justify infringing on another person’s liberty or threatening their well-being.
Okonkwo emphasized that although he sometimes holds different views from Obi, this does not diminish the former Anambra governor’s right to visit any part of the country freely and safely.
He recalled that a similar situation occurred when the Benue State Governor previously made remarks threatening Obi’s safety and urged Obi to challenge such actions instead of overlooking them.
Okonkwo insisted that every Nigerian has the constitutional right to reside or travel to any state without undue interference under the guise of protocol.
He rejected claims that Obi posed any risk to anyone that would warrant such restrictions.
Okonkwo argued that the governor’s remarks were motivated by ethnic bias, claiming that Obi would not have faced the same treatment if he belonged to another major ethnic group.
“The Governor wouldn’t have tried this with a leader from Hausa or a leader from Yoruba land. And I mean it. The other time Northerners were killed in Edo, he ran to Kano to prostrate,” he stated.
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