The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has agreed to hear a suit seeking an order to compel President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide maximum security protection for Mr. Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The suit, brought before the court in Abuja, prays for a judicial directive mandating the Federal Government, through the President and relevant security agencies, to guarantee full security coverage for Obi, the presidential flagbearer associated with the Nigerian Democratic Party (NDP) in the upcoming electoral cycle to ensure his safety across the country.
The plaintiff is asking the court to compel the Executive arm of government to deploy state-backed, maximum security detail to safeguard Mr. Peter Obi throughout his nationwide consultations and political activities leading up to the 2027 polls.
The suit lists President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and relevant heads of national security agencies as key respondents.
The legal team argued that guaranteeing adequate security for major presidential contenders is vital for maintaining democratic integrity, preventing political violence, and ensuring a level playing field ahead of the elections.
The presiding judge granted leave for the substantive matter to be heard, ordering that all relevant court processes and hearing notices be served on President Tinubu and the co-respondents to allow them to file their responses before the court adjourned for formal proceedings.
The court was urged to declare that “the threats by the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, that Mr Peter Obi’s life and security are not guaranteed in Edo State and that Mr Peter Obi should not step into Edo State without getting clearance from him are empty, not backed by law, anti-democratic, illegal, unlawful and tantamount to executive rascality, infantile politicking and power drunkenness”.
