…Peter Obi never arrested El-Rufai
Political activist and co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls movement, Aisha Yesufu, has reacted to Governor Monday Okpebholo’s warning to the former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi not to enter his state without prior notice to him.
Earlier, Governor Okpebholo, defended his remarks on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, amid mounting backlash from human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), the African Democratic Congress and the Obidient Movement, among others.
Recall that the governor stirred controversy after warning that Obi must obtain security clearance before visiting Edo State, a statement critics described as a direct threat to Obi’s life and a dangerous precedent for democracy.
While Falana urged Obi to take legal action over what he termed an “illegal threat,” ADC and Obidient Movement leader, Dr Yunusa Tanko, accused Okpebholo of intimidation and spreading falsehoods.
The Edo State government has insisted that the governor’s comments at a rally were misinterpreted, stressing that his call was a security protocol and not hostility toward the opposition leader.
Speaking on a televised programme monitored by Voicenews, Yesufu said, “I don’t know what gives Governor Okpebholo the audacity that he can give security clearances for any Nigerian to be able to come to Edo State. Edo State is not his family estate. Yes, he currently might be the one governing the state, but he doesn’t have the right to give anybody clearance to be anywhere,” she added.
In her words, “The governor said what he said very clearly, and that is a threat to life.
“Beyond that is the fact that the Edo State Government came out with a statement where they said he wasn’t threatening him but that Obi needs to tell them when he is coming and also get security clearance,” she echoed.
The Activist also debunked claims that former Governor Obi ordered the arrest of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai during his tenure as Governor in Anambra State.
Yesufu clarified that El-Rufai was detained in Anambra by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and not on the orders of Peter Obi.
This response followed a comment by Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu, who referenced the incident in defense of the state government.
Yesufu explained, “There was also something in the statement released by the Edo State Government based on the threat the governor had made to Mr Peter Obi, where he was saying he is not like Mr Peter Obi who got El-Rufai arrested in Anambra State.
“That statement is not factual. Mr Peter Obi never arrested the former Governor of Kaduna State. He was arrested in Anambra State, but he was arrested by the DSS, and the order from above from the set-right never had anything to do with Mr Peter Obi.”
Voicenews recalled that in November 2013, El-Rufai, then a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), was detained in Anambra by DSS officials during the state’s governorship election. El-Rufai had stated that he was in Anambra to observe the election but was stopped and held in his hotel in Awka.
The DSS explained that the move was due to “security concerns” in the area at the time.
Yesufu’s clarification becomes necessary amid heightened political tensions following Governor Okpebholo’s remarks over Obi’s recent visit to Benin City.
