President Bola Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Edo State Governor have been dragged before a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged threats to the life of Labour Party figure Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The suit was filed by lawyers under the umbrella of the Obident Lawyers Forum, who are asking the court to compel the Federal Government and security agencies to provide maximum security for Obi to prevent what they described as a possible political assassination before and during the 2027 election campaign.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1648/2016, lists President Tinubu, the AGF, the IGP, the Director-General of the DSS and the Governor of Edo State as respondents.
The lawyers, led by Barristers Okere Kingdom Nnamdi and Joseph Enemona Ameh, based their action on alleged remarks by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, who was quoted as saying Obi’s life and security could not be guaranteed in Edo State if he entered the state without obtaining the governor’s approval.
They argued that Obi’s constitutional rights to life, freedom of movement and protection under the law have been threatened and urged the court to intervene.
Among the reliefs sought, the plaintiffs asked the court to declare that Obi has the constitutional right to move freely across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory without intimidation, harassment, assault or threats to his life.
They also asked the court to rule that no government official or individual has the power to prevent Obi from visiting any part of Nigeria or carrying out lawful political activities.
The lawyers further urged the court to declare the governor’s alleged warning unlawful, unconstitutional, anti-democratic and an abuse of executive power.
They also want the court to affirm that it is President Tinubu’s constitutional duty, as Commander-in-Chief, to direct all security agencies to provide adequate protection for Obi and every other presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
The suit is also seeking an order compelling the Police, DSS and other security agencies to immediately provide round-the-clock security and intelligence protection for Obi.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, the plaintiffs said the application was filed on Obi’s behalf under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.
They cited Obi’s recent live podcast in which he reportedly said he “may not be alive” to contest next year’s presidential election, arguing that the statement reflected the seriousness of the threats against him.
According to the affidavit, Obi has suffered psychological trauma due to repeated threats to his life, while the security agencies have a constitutional obligation to protect every Nigerian citizen.
The plaintiffs insisted that no authority has the legal power to restrict any Nigerian from entering or leaving any part of the country to conduct lawful activities.
As of the time of filing this report, the Federal High Court had not fixed a date for hearing the suit.
