By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
A civil society organisation, Leadership and Accountability Initiative, has submitted a petition to the United States Embassy in Abuja, calling for a visa ban on Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and members of his family. The group accuses the governor of issuing what it termed “state-sanctioned threats” against former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
In the petition submitted on Monday, the group alleged that Governor Okpebholo, during a statement made on Friday, July 18, 2025, warned that Obi should not visit Edo State “for any reason,” adding that “whatever he sees, he should take.” The group interpreted this as a direct threat to Obi’s safety and freedom of movement.
Describing the governor’s remarks as a violation of democratic principles, human rights, and constitutional freedoms, the group urged the U.S. government to impose travel restrictions and diplomatic sanctions on Okpebholo and his immediate family. It warned that failure to address such rhetoric could embolden further acts of political repression.
The petition also referenced a similar incident in a neighbouring state, where another governor allegedly prevented Obi from entering the state for political reasons. The organisation expressed concern about a growing pattern of state officials using their offices to intimidate opposition figures, which it said undermines Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and violates international norms.
In a related development, legal firm Festus Ogun Legal (FOLEGAL) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Okpebholo to retract the alleged threats and issue a public apology to Obi and the Nigerian public.
In a letter dated July 21 and signed by the firm’s Managing Partner, Festus Ogun, the governor’s remarks were described as unconstitutional and in clear breach of Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement for all Nigerian citizens. The firm also referenced a Court of Appeal judgment affirming that no state governor has the authority to restrict a citizen’s movement without legal justification.
FOLEGAL stated that requiring Obi to obtain security clearance before visiting any part of Nigeria is a violation of his constitutional rights. The firm warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated timeframe would result in legal action to safeguard Obi’s fundamental freedoms.
