The Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has warned that its presidential candidate in the 2023 gen­eral election, Peter Obi, should not come to harm by any means

Similarly, the youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has condemned the threat by Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, who on Friday stated that Peter Obi should not visit Edo State without permission and security clearance from him, warning that his safety could otherwise not be guaranteed.

Both groups described Governor Okpebholo’s disguised threat as outra­geous, shocking, uncouth, and disap­pointing.

The Ohanaeze youth urged Presi­dent Bola Tinubu to call the governor to order.

Video of the governor warning Obi against entering Edo State with official clearance has since gone viral.

 The LP caucus empha­sized that Obi, like any other Nigerian citizen, has “the constitutional right to visit any part of the coun­try without fear of molesta­tion, threat to life, or harm, as guaranteed under a dem­ocratic system.”

The LP lawmakers, in a statement by their leader, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, issued in Awka, faulted Governor Okpebholo, de­scribing his remarks as “uncivil, unconstitutional, undemocratic, and unbe­coming of a public servant in such a high office”.

He added: “Mr. Peter Obi’s philanthropic efforts nationwide embody his hu­manity and empathy for the people, transcending polit­ical affiliations, ethnicity, and other divides.

“Rather than being vili­fied or incited against, he should be commended for supporting human capital development in the na­tion. As a champion of de­mocracy, nation-building, and sustainable develop­ment, Peter Obi deserves protection and support from all who share these values.”

Ogene continued: “It’s bewildering to hear such an outrageous outburst from a state governor, particularly one with a background as a senator of the Federal Re­public of Nigeria.

“The level of conduct, reasoning, and delivery displayed is shocking, es­pecially from a supposed­ly democratically elected official and chief security officer of a state.

“What manner of exam­ple do we set for the young­er generation, especially as regards public conduct, civility, respect for human rights and the rule of law, as enshrined in the consti­tution of the Federal Re­public of Nigeria?

“How do we fight vio­lence in the land, if as lead­ers we openly encourage intolerance, bigotry and anti-democratic tendencies, like the Edo State governor has publicly exhibited?”

He added: “We, therefore, urge President Bola Tinubu to call the Edo State gover­nor to order. And hasten to warn that no harm should come to our leader, Peter Obi, anywhere in Nigeria or beyond.

“The other day, it was Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state, today it is Okpebholo of Edo.

“If the ruling All Pro­gressives Congress, APC, thinks it can use scare­mongering to halt the ev­er-growing popularity of Mr. Peter Obi, they better think again.”

Also, in a statement en­titled, “An Urgent Call for Action”, issued on Satur­day by the National Pres­ident, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the group described the gover­nor’s warning as an “assas­sination threat on Mr. Peter Obi”.

Meanwhile, support­ers of Obi have declared plans to launch initiatives that would impact com­munities and the lives of Nigerians as part of pro­grammes marking his 64th birthday.

The supporters, under the umbrella of Obidient Movement, on Saturday, also disclosed that it was celebrating the Obidient Day of Service with vari­ous free services across the country.

The free services include the distribution of rice, food items, cleaning and free distribution of sani­tary supplies in the Jime­ta Correctional Centre in Yola, Adamawa State.

In Enugu, Southeast Ni­geria, the movement said it would share 5000 sanitary pads to young girls, as well as carry out medical out­reaches, adding that it set­ting up three Billboards on behalf of the former Anam­bra State governor in Ondo State, Southwest.

This is as it listed a sensi­tisation programme on the footprints and impact of the 2023 presidential candi­date, adding that it would share cooked food amongst children and the elderly in parts of Yobe State.

A statement by Nana Kazaure, Director for Stra­tegic Communication and Media, disclosed that the movement would distribute notebooks, give free hair­cuts and visit orphanages in Bauchi State.