By Charles Pemu 
Veteran Nollywood actor and constitutional lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, has sharply condemned Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, over remarks perceived as a veiled threat to Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Okonkwo described the Governor’s statement suggesting Obi should seek clearance before visiting Edo as not only unconstitutional, but also an insult to the Igbo people.
“This is a direct threat to his life. If a strand of Peter Obi’s hair falls, the Governor must be held responsible,” Okonkwo declared during a televised interview, accusing Okpebholo of “utter disregard for constitutional rights.”
He referenced Sections 41 and 42 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee freedom of movement and freedom from discrimination, stating, “No Nigerian needs permission to visit any state.”
The actor-turned-lawyer also rebuked the Governor’s media aides for later attempting to walk back the statement as a misinterpretation, calling it “a belated damage control.”
“I may not always agree with Obi, but no one has the right to threaten his life or dignity,” he said.
Okonkwo warned of legal consequences should Governor Okpebholo fail to issue a public apology, and accused the governor of ethnic bias, stating: “He wouldn’t dare say that to a Northern or Yoruba leader.”
He further criticized the APC and the Edo APC chairman, Jaret Tenebe, declining to respond to Tenebe’s harsher comments, saying, “He’s seeking relevance. I won’t dignify him.”
Okonkwo urged Obi to begin challenging infringements of his rights legally, warning that silence may embolden future violations.