APC Calls For Peter Obi’s Arrest Over Edo Visit, Issues Death Threat

A supporter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Engr. Tom Steve, has called for the immediate arrest and interrogation of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, following his recent visit to Edo State amid heightened political tension.

Steve, a known supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, made the demand in a series of posts on his verified X handle, @stevetom788, shortly after reports of an alleged attack during Obi’s visit to Edo.

In one of the posts, Steve claimed that Obi had earlier been warned against entering Edo State without clearance and described the reported incident as a consequence of “calculated defiance.”

“I have officially notified the Edo State Government, demanding without hesitation that a petition be transmitted to the Inspector General of Police for the immediate arrest and interrogation of Peter Obi for his brazen violation of a duly proclaimed security directive,” he wrote.

Steve argued that the directive issued by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, requiring Obi to seek security clearance before visiting the state, was “lawful, deliberate and authoritative.”

According to him, Obi’s decision to proceed with the visit amounted to “open provocation” and a challenge to constitutional authority. “No democratic society survives when political actors decide which laws to obey and which to trample upon,” Steve stated.

“When a political figure publicly disregards a sitting governor’s security instruction, he is not merely challenging a man — he is challenging the structure of governance itself.” The APC chieftain further declared that “defiance of lawful authority will be met with lawful consequences,” insisting that no citizen stands above the law.

In an earlier post reacting to the reported attack in Edo State, Steve used inflammatory language, suggesting that Obi was fortunate to survive. He also referenced the former governor’s potential visit to Rivers State, writing in a tone widely interpreted as threatening. He wrote:

“We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State but he mistook our resolves to his obidiots online noise. Thank his stars he survived this one. “I learnt he’s going to my Rivers State. Nowahala… “Na my MEN go handle that one and dem no dey miss target. Speak no peace to a bastard and wish him no long life, for he’s destined to die one.”

The posts have since sparked outrage among opposition supporters, who described them as reckless and inciting.

Steve also launched a scathing attack on Obi’s political trajectory, accusing him of “political opportunism” and alleging that he habitually aligns with established platforms only to abandon them during internal crises.

He contrasted Obi’s political decisions with that of Wike, whom he praised for remaining within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during turbulent periods and “fighting relentlessly” to restore its influence.

“Leadership demands staying power,” Steve wrote. “Desertion is not leadership; it is abdication.”

He concluded his remarks with prayers for Tinubu, Wike, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, while asserting that Obi would “not ascend to the presidency.”

Background To Edo Tensions

The controversy follows earlier remarks by Governor Okpebholo, who had publicly warned that Obi’s security would not be guaranteed if he entered Edo State without prior notification to the state government.

The governor’s comments, made months earlier, drew criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures, who argued that freedom of movement and political association are constitutionally guaranteed rights.

Obi, a former presidential candidate and prominent opposition figure, has continued nationwide engagements despite the warnings.