Foretold in Words, Delivered in Bullets: Peter Obi’s Attack in Edo -

Last Updated on 26 February 2026

BENIN CITY — The gunfire that targeted Peter Obi and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun on 24 February 2026 was a crime. But the Edo State Government’s response is a constitutional catastrophe.

For the first time in recent Nigerian history, we are witnessing a government attempt to attach a “notification clause” to human life.

1. The “Sheriff” Foretold the Shooting

In July 2025, Governor Monday Okpebholo publicly warned that Peter Obi’s security would “not be guaranteed” unless he sought state approval to enter Edo.

Seven months later, bullets rained on Obi’s convoy, striking vehicles and shattering gates.

While no court has linked the Governor to the gunmen, legal scholars note a crucial principle: foreseeability and duty of care. When a Chief Security Officer signals that a citizen’s life is “conditional,” it creates an environment where violence is predictable. The State’s failure to protect Obi is not merely incompetence: it is a premeditated breach of the Nigerian Social Contract.

2. Pattern of Political Friction

This is not an isolated episode. Obi’s public engagements have repeatedly faced administrative obstacles in states controlled by rival parties:

In Makurdi, Benue State, on April 14, 2025. Makurdi,reports indicate Obi was once turned back from a planned campaign visit, citing security concerns allegedly linked to his opposition status.
In other states, venues for Obi’s political events have been withdrawn at short notice, or civic spaces made inaccessible under the pretext of administrative logistics.

These incidents, while less violent, demonstrate a broader pattern: opposition figures face conditional freedom of movement, directly challenging Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees that “every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria”.

3. Section 41: Freedom is Not a Favour

The Governor’s so-called “Notification Doctrine” is an extra-legal invention.

Section 41 does not require prior gubernatorial approval. Section 14(2)(b) states the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of the people, not political allies.

By framing security as contingent upon party affiliation, Edo State effectively suspended constitutional guarantees. Citizens now risk being “blamed” for attacks against them if they fail to align politically. This is not law enforcement: it is a feudal license to harm.

4. From Victim to Villain

Adding insult to injury, government-aligned statements labelled Obi, the target of an assassination attempt as “synonymous with violence”.

This is textbook gaslighting. A man nearly killed is recast as the instigator. By inverting the narrative, the State signals to potential attackers: “Pull the trigger, and we will handle the PR for you.”

5. Betrayal of Founding Fathers

The presence of John Odigie-Oyegun, a founding APC figure, further underscores the moral crisis.

The ruling party’s silence in the aftermath, despite the attack on one of its own veterans, exposes a disturbing truth: party loyalty now trumps personal safety. It warns politicians nationwide: associate with the opposition at your peril, even if you built the party.

The Verdict: A Republic in the Crosshairs

A democracy does not die when bullets fly. It dies when the government blames the target for being shot at.

Edo State is no longer just a territory: it is a test case for constitutional fidelity. If Governors can declare whose security is “guaranteed”, the Nigerian Social Contract is hollow.

The bullets missed Peter Obi. But they hit the heart of the Constitution.

The Opposition Demands

Federal Security Oversight: The Edo State Police Command must be held accountable directly by the Inspector General, independent of the Governor’s influence.
Constitutional Reaffirmation: Public assurance that Section 41 applies to all Nigerians, regardless of party affiliation.
Justice, Not Gaslighting: Forensic investigations must focus on perpetrators, not the victims.

This is no longer a local story: it is a referendum on the Nigerian state.

Every citizen should ask: if safety is conditional, where does the Constitution truly reside?

Foretold in Words, Delivered in Bullets: Peter Obi’s Attack in Edo