Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, insisting that he must not enter the state again without obtaining proper security clearance.
The warning follows Obi’s visit to Benin City on July 7, where he donated ₦15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences to support ongoing infrastructure projects.
Reacting to the visit, Governor Okpebholo linked Obi’s presence in the state with a surge in violence, alleging that three people were killed shortly after the former Anambra governor left the city.
“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped ₦15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance,” Okpebholo declared.
The governor also criticized the timing of Obi’s visit, labeling it as coinciding with unrest in the state, and warned that such actions would no longer be tolerated.
Speaking at a political event, Governor Okpebholo also addressed recent defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing them as a sign of his party’s growing dominance in Edo State. He hailed the move by former Speaker of the Edo House of Assembly, Marcus Onobun, to the APC, calling it “the final nail in the coffin of the PDP.”
He further stated, “We are not lobbying anyone to join APC; they are coming because they see the results of our governance. In 2027, 2.5 million votes from Edo are guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu.”
Mocking the PDP’s claims of popularity, Okpebholo referred to their social media support as “social media winning” and emphasized the state government’s ongoing developmental efforts. “Today, we are turning Edo into a construction site, and they can see it,” he added.
The governor also leveled accusations against opposition leaders, blaming them for corruption, stalled national infrastructure projects, and insecurity across the country.
What You Should Know
Governor Okpebholo has tied Peter Obi’s recent visit to Edo to a spike in violence, claiming it caused security concerns. He insists the former presidential candidate must now obtain clearance before visiting.
The governor also declared the APC’s dominance in Edo politics while accusing the opposition of corruption and failed leadership.
