Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, issued a stern warning to Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, declaring that he must seek clearance before visiting the state.
The governor made the remarks on Wednesday in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, while receiving former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Marcus Onobun, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Governor Okpebholo accused Obi of hypocrisy, referencing the former Anambra governor’s recent visit to Edo, where he donated N15 million to a nursing school. The governor claimed the visit triggered unrest that led to three deaths.
“The man wey say e no get ‘shishi’, I am sending a direct message to him. He cannot come to Edo without telling me. A new Sheriff is in town,” Okpebholo said in a mix of Pidgin and English. “He came the other day and donated N15m. By the time he left after donating the money, there was crisis and three people died in Benin. Tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me.”
The governor boasted about his administration’s achievements, stating that defectors were joining the APC due to good governance. He also dismissed opposition claims of electoral strength, saying, “Last week, we finally buried the PDP in Edo State. I saw someone crying at Ring Road, talking about having 65%. That is what we call social media winning.”
Okpebholo further accused opposition figures of corruption, alleging their involvement in misappropriated railway funds and insecurity. “Some of them stole railway funds. Some were Senate Presidents for years and could not build roads to their villages. Some sold off Nigeria’s assets and even ushered in Boko Haram and kidnappers,” he said.
Labour Party, CUPP Condemn Governor’s Statement
The Coalition of United Political Parties and Labour Party chieftains strongly criticized Okpebholo’s remarks, describing them as unconstitutional. CUPP National Secretary Chief Peter Ameh condemned the governor’s statement as a “veiled death threat” against Obi.
“The recent statement by Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, threatening former presidential candidate Peter Obi for visiting Edo State and donating N15 million to a nursing school, is utterly deplorable and a direct assault on the democratic principles of freedom of movement and expression enshrined in Nigeria’s Constitution,” Ameh said.
He added, “Okpebholo’s recorded remarks, warning Obi not to ‘dare’ enter Edo State without his permission and stating that his security ‘is not guaranteed,’ constitute a veiled death threat against a law-abiding citizen exercising his constitutional rights.”
Ameh called for widespread condemnation of the governor’s remarks, stressing that “Edo State and Nigeria deserve better than this shameful display of leadership.”
