As Nigerians react with outrage to the perceived threat against Peter Obi by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, activist lawyer Maduabuchi Idam has taken a different stance, urging President Bola Tinubu to address what he termed the Edo Governor’s “rascality.”
Idam, in a statement on Sunday, squarely blamed President Tinubu for Governor Okpebholo’s “unconstitutional and anti-democratic threat” directed at the former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Describing Governor Okpebholo as “half-literate,” Idam argued that the governor should understand that the Nigerian Constitution permits Obi not only to visit Edo State at will but also to permanently reside there if he chooses.
“I will rather blame President Tinubu for Governor Okpebholo’s reckless anti-democratic threat against Mr. Peter Obi,” Idam’s statement read. “The President appears to have endorsed every ill-mannered conduct exhibited in favour of his 2027 ambition to remain as president despite his awful performance.”
He continued, “Otherwise, Governor Okpebholo in his half literacy would be able to understand that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria permits Mr. Obi not only to visit Edo State at will but to permanently live in the state, if that be his desire. The fact that Governor Okpebholo was successfully foisted on the people of Edo State despite horrible educational status, does not permit him to proudly advertise his illiteracy in public.”
Idam further advised, “Perhaps, he needs a private tutor to help him learn that if such threats were to be issued by every other state governor against him – he would be confined only to Edo State, throughout his life.”
The lawyer called on President Tinubu to “quickly address the growing rascality being displayed by desperate political elements who have thrown caution and modernity into the air just to be seen as loyal to him.” He concluded with a stark warning: “The shaky Nigeria’s democracy must not be sacrificed on the pulpit of Tinubu’s 2027 ambition.”