Edo Governor’s Threat Against Peter Obi Sparks Outrage: Kenneth Okonkwo Slams Remarks as Tribalistic, Anti-Igbo
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Kenneth Okonkwo
By Emmanuel Kwada
Veteran actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has ignited a firestorm of controversy by condemning recent remarks by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, labeling them as “tribalistic and ethnic bigotry” and a “direct threat to Igbo people.” The comments stem from a viral video in which Governor Okpebholo warned Labour Party leader and former presidential candidate Peter Obi against visiting Edo State without prior security clearance, citing alleged violence linked to Obi’s previous visit. Okonkwo’s sharp rebuke has intensified debates over ethnic tensions and political freedoms in Nigeria, with critics accusing the governor of undermining constitutional rights and fueling division.
HE Peter Obi
Speaking on the issue, Okonkwo declared, “I sense tribalistic and ethnic bigotry from this Edo Governor. If Peter Obi were a leader from Hausa Land or Yoruba Land, this governor would not dare make such a statement. It’s a direct threat to Igbo people and an exhibition of Igbo hatred.”
His remarks, widely shared on social media platforms, have drawn support from political groups, activists, and citizens who view the governor’s statement as an attack on democratic principles and an attempt to intimidate opposition figures.
The controversy erupted on July 18, 2025, when Governor Okpebholo, addressing a rally in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, stated that Obi must seek his permission before entering Edo State, warning that his safety could not be guaranteed otherwise.
I sense tribalistic and ethnic bigotry from this Edo Governor. If Peter Obi were a leader from Hausa Land or Yoruba Land, this governor would not dare make such a statement. It’s a direct threat to Igbo people and an exhibition of Igbo hatred
The governor further claimed that Obi’s recent visit, during which he donated 15 million naira to a nursing school, was followed by a crisis that led to the deaths of three people. These allegations have been met with skepticism, as no official confirmation from the Edo State Police Command has substantiated the claim.
In a statement signed by President General Engr Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe, the group accused Okpebholo of making “reckless and irresponsible” comments that risk stoking ethnic and political tensions. They emphasized that Obi, like all Nigerians, has the constitutional right to move freely across the country without fear of restriction or intimidation.
Obi, like all Nigerians, has the constitutional right to move freely across the country without fear of restriction or intimidation
Edo State residents and political figures have also joined the chorus of criticism. Comrade Tony Erha, a human rights activist, and Murphy Osaro Omoruyi, a Labour Party lawmaker, called the governor’s remarks unconstitutional and unreflective of Edo’s values of hospitality and tolerance.
Former Edo State Commissioner for Digital Economy, Ogbeide Ifaluyi-Isibor, issued a public apology to Obi, stating, “The recent comments by Governor Okpebholo warning Mr. Obi against visiting Edo were widely viewed as reckless, embarrassing, and unbefitting of a public servant. Let it be said clearly that is not who we are.”
Monday-Okpebholo, Governor of Edo
In response to the backlash, the Edo State government, through Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, clarified that Okpebholo’s comments were rooted in security concerns, not hostility. The statement emphasized the governor’s role as the Chief Security Officer of Edo State and the need for high-profile individuals to adhere to security protocols to prevent vulnerabilities.
It also referenced recent abductions of religious leaders in the state to justify the governor’s stance. However, critics, including human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), dismissed this explanation, calling the remarks an “illegal threat” and urging Obi to pursue legal action. Falana cited violations of Section 33 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantee the right to life and free movement.
When state authorities impose movement restrictions, they manufacture unnatural barriers that dilute national unity and encourage division
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Obidient Movement, a group supporting Obi, also condemned the governor’s statement as part of a broader pattern of intimidation by APC-led state governments. ADC’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, warned that such threats undermine Nigeria’s democracy and called for national and international attention to the issue.
Okonkwo’s accusation of anti-Igbo sentiment taps into longstanding concerns about the marginalization of the Igbo people in Nigerian politics and society. The Igbo, one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups, have faced historical challenges, including the 1966 pogroms and the Biafran War, which have fueled perceptions of systemic exclusion. Obi’s 2023 presidential candidacy, which galvanized significant support among Igbo communities, was often framed by critics as an “Igbo presidency” bid, further highlighting ethnic sensitivities.
Political analyst Michael Oyewole argued that Okpebholo’s remarks reflect a broader trend of regionalism that threatens national cohesion. “When state authorities impose movement restrictions, they manufacture unnatural barriers that dilute national unity and encourage division,” he wrote.
He called for the governor to issue a formal apology and reaffirm Edo State’s commitment to the rule of law.
As the controversy continues to unfold, Okpebholo’s administration faces mounting pressure to address the fallout. The incident has reignited discussions about ethnic harmony, political inclusivity, and the protection of constitutional rights in Nigeria’s diverse democracy.
