Some lawyers under the Obidient Lawyers Forum have filed a suit against President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and three others over alleged threats to the life of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 election.
The suit, filed by Kingdom Okere and Joseph Ameh on behalf of the Obidient Lawyers Forum and the Incorporated Trustees of Rights for All International, is seeking an order compelling the President, police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to provide maximum security protection and intelligence support for Obi and all other presidential candidates ahead of the 2027 election.
The applicants said the legal action followed remarks made by Obi during a recent live podcast, where he expressed concerns that he might not be alive to contest the election, as well as comments allegedly made by Governor Okpebholo regarding Obi’s safety in Edo State.
In an affidavit supporting the fundamental rights enforcement suit, the plaintiffs argued that Obi’s constitutional rights to life, freedom of movement and participation in lawful political activities must be protected without fear of intimidation, harassment or threats.
They maintained that Obi has the right to travel across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, organise political rallies and carry out his activities without any form of restriction or threat to his safety.
The lawyers further argued that no individual, authority or government agency has the power to prevent any citizen from entering or leaving any part of Nigeria to pursue lawful activities guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
They described the alleged statement by the Edo governor that Obi’s security was not guaranteed in the state and that he needed permission to visit as unlawful and contrary to democratic principles.
Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs want the court to declare that Obi should not be subjected to politically motivated coercion, threats, harassment, intimidation or victimisation because of his political beliefs, ethnicity, religion or any other reason.
They are also seeking a declaration that the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has a constitutional responsibility to protect citizens’ lives and property, including directing security agencies to provide protection for presidential candidates.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1648/2016, lists Tinubu, the AGF, the Inspector-General of Police, the DSS Director-General, the NSCDC Commandant-General and the Edo State governor as the first to sixth respondents.
The applicants are asking the court to order security agencies to immediately provide physical protection and intelligence support for Obi and other 2027 presidential candidates.
No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.
