Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A man identified as Nominddem, a self-proclaimed political thug loyal to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, has issued a series of violent threats against supporters of the African Action Congress (AAC) and members of the Revolutionary Movement led by presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, warning that they would be beaten, handed over to the police, prosecuted, and that Governor Okpebholo would personally sign their death warrants. The threats, captured in a video recorded while the thug was driving, have sparked outrage and renewed concerns over political violence and the weaponisation of state security apparatus against opposition figures in Edo State.
In the video, which was published by SaharaReporters on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, Nominddem specifically targeted Albert Obazee, an Edo indigene based in the United Kingdom, and Sowore himself, warning that both would be violently attacked if they or their supporters were found in Edo State wearing the movement's signature orange berets. Throughout the recording, the governor's thug repeatedly claimed that neither the Nigeria Police Force nor any other security agency would take action against those responsible for assaulting Sowore's supporters, insisting that victims would only be able to "cry, rant, talk on media" while law enforcement looked the other way.
Beginning his remarks with praise for the Okpebholo administration, Nominddem declared: "Alright, Edo is shining. Okpebholo is working." He then acknowledged the democratic right of all political parties to campaign in the state, stating: "We are in democracy. You have the right to come and campaign and do your party activities without destruction." However, he quickly pivoted to issue warnings directed at Albert Obazee and others associated with Sowore's movement. "Also use this medium to send message to that boy with the UK, Albert, with the boys like Joseph Bali, with the defender. We are telling you people that His Excellency, Senator Okpebholo, is doing everything to secure the four corners of Edo, for Edo to stay safe for everybody."
The thug then threatened that anyone convicted in special courts would face execution with the governor's approval. "If you misbehave, do anything related to cult activities for this state, you will be apprehended and they will take you to the special courts and decide your matter. And if you are found guilty, the Executive Governor of Edo State will sign the execution letter." Despite acknowledging the constitutional right of the AAC to campaign, Nominddem threatened violence against anyone seen wearing the orange beret associated with Sowore's movement. "But if we see anybody wear beret for Edo who is a freedom fighter or a revolutionary, we will beat am, give the person to police and we will take him to special court." He further argued that political rallies should only involve party-branded face caps rather than the orange beret, claiming: "Dem no dey use berets dey do rally for the whole country. Na face cap, party face cap, na him dem dey use do rally."
The governor's thug went on to accuse Albert Obazee of attempting to bring cultists back into Edo State and again threatened physical violence. "But if Albert says he wants to bring back cultists for Edo, anybody when he says make him wear this beret for Edo, if we catch am anywhere for Edo, we will beat him up. I will give am to police. I will take am to court." He also issued a direct threat against Obazee and Sowore personally. "And if he use him mouth mention Albert Obazee as he dey UK, they will break his ass." The thug repeatedly maintained that no legal consequences would follow any assault on Sowore's supporters. "And heaven will not fall. He can only cry, rant, talk on media. Heaven will not fall. He won't change anything."
Challenging members of Sowore's movement to openly wear their orange berets in Edo State, Nominddem said: "If you feel say dem dey lie, if dem born you well, wear that Sowore beret for the centre and waka for Edo. Make we see you. Make we catch you with that beret." He further alleged that anyone wearing the beret would be accused of cultism. "We will charge you for cultism for Edo and heaven will not fall." He also claimed that Obazee would not assist anyone arrested, and that Sowore's legal support for detained activists would not extend to those arrested under the circumstances he described. "And if you feel say Sowore is bailing people from prison yard, your own will turn different." The thug concluded by insisting that anyone convicted in a special court would ultimately face execution with the governor's approval. "The people Sowore dey bail from courts are not with the people. They don pass law say if they catch you, they will take you to special court, and when you are found guilty, the Executive Governor of Edo State will sign your death warrant."
The threats come against the backdrop of Governor Okpebholo's recent declarations of war on criminals in the state. In June 2026, the governor had vowed to sign death warrants for kidnappers and cultists convicted by special courts, a position that has now been echoed and weaponised by his political thug against opposition supporters. The video has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society organisations and opposition figures, who have called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the threats and ensure the protection of all citizens' constitutional rights to political association and expression. As of the time of this report, the Edo State Government and the Nigeria Police Force had not issued any official response to the alarming threats captured in the video.
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