The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has strongly criticized Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, over a threatening statement allegedly directed at the former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.
In a statement released on Friday, CUPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Peter Ameh, described Governor Okpebholo’s remarks as not only disgraceful but also a brazen display of political thuggery unbecoming of a public official.
Governor's Threat Sparks Outrage
The controversy stems from a recent video in which Governor Okpebholo, while addressing some of his supporters, issued a veiled threat warning Peter Obi against visiting Edo State.
“If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking,” the governor reportedly said.
Reacting to this, CUPP warned that such rhetoric amounts to a “veiled death threat” against a citizen who is fully entitled to move freely within any part of the country under the Nigerian Constitution.
“Governor Okpebholo’s recorded remarks, warning Peter Obi not to enter Edo State without his permission and suggesting that his safety could not be guaranteed, constitute a dangerous and undemocratic assault on a law-abiding Nigerian exercising his constitutional rights,” CUPP said.
CUPP: Okpebholo Has Undermined the Constitution
Peter Ameh stressed that the governor’s utterances reflect a deep disregard for constitutional values, particularly the rights to freedom of movement, expression, and peaceful association, all of which are guaranteed by Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“Governor Monday Okpebholo’s threat is not only shameful—it reveals a mindset that is hostile to democratic values. It sends a chilling message that certain leaders feel emboldened to intimidate fellow citizens using the power of their office,” Ameh stated.
He further warned that such behavior, if left unchecked, could set a dangerous precedent for the abuse of political power to silence dissent or restrict civic freedoms.
Call for Nationwide and International Condemnation
The CUPP also called on political stakeholders, civil society organisations, the media, and the international community to speak out forcefully against what it described as a dangerous escalation of intolerance in Nigeria’s political space.
“This is a wake-up call for all Nigerians who value democracy and the rule of law. We must not allow our nation’s hard-won constitutional protections to be undermined by threats and intimidation from political office holders,” Ameh added.
A Broader Warning on Political Intolerance
The coalition further cautioned that incidents like this pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s fragile democracy, especially as the country approaches the 2027 general elections. It urged political leaders to act responsibly and uphold the principles of peaceful engagement, political tolerance, and mutual respect.
CUPP concluded by reaffirming its solidarity with Peter Obi and all Nigerians exercising their democratic rights, warning that any attempt to intimidate or silence opposition voices would be met with resistance from pro-democracy groups across the country.
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