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Okpebholo Warns Peter Obi Against Visiting Edo Without Clearance, Draws Nationwide Backlash

In a controversial development that stirred political tensions, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, issued a stern warning to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, cautioning him against visiting Edo State without first obtaining his clearance. The governor made this statement in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area, during an event welcoming Hon. Marcus Onobun—a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and serving PDP lawmaker representing Esan West/Igueben/Central in the House of Representatives—who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

Governor Okpebholo justified his position by referencing Obi’s last visit to the state, where he reportedly donated ₦15 million to a nursing school. He controversially claimed that following Obi’s visit and donation, a crisis ensued in Benin that led to the loss of three lives. Mocking Obi’s political persona and repeated claims of frugality, the governor questioned how a man who says he doesn’t spend money—popularly known for saying he does not give “shishi”—could make such a sizable donation. Speaking partly in Pidgin English, he emphasized that Peter Obi should not set foot in Edo State again without informing him, declaring, “A new Sheriff is in town.”

 

He further boasted about the strength of the APC in the state, asserting that Edo would deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 elections. According to Okpebholo, the defection of Hon. Onobun and others into the APC was not influenced by pressure but by visible performance results under his administration. He declared that the PDP had been buried in the state and dismissed claims of popularity on social media, mocking the opposition for relying on digital presence rather than real-world political traction.

 

Governor Okpebholo also took swipes at opposition leaders, accusing them of historic corruption and national failures. He alleged that some of these leaders had embezzled funds meant for railways, failed to bring development to their hometowns despite holding top offices like Senate President, and were culpable in the rise of insecurity, including Boko Haram insurgency and kidnappings. He derided their continuous movement across political parties—mentioning SDP, ADC, and ADA—as evidence of their instability and desperation.

 

While welcoming Onobun and his supporters into the APC fold, Okpebholo called on them to actively join the administration’s vision to transform Edo State into a model of development.

 

However, Governor Okpebholo’s comments did not go unchallenged. Chief Peter Ameh, a prominent Labour Party chieftain and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), sharply condemned the governor’s remarks. He described the statements as offensive, unlawful, and a direct violation of the Nigerian Constitution, which upholds the right to freedom of movement and expression for every citizen.

 

Ameh said that threatening Peter Obi over his charitable activities, such as donating to schools and supporting displaced persons, was both disgraceful and alarming. He characterized the governor’s words—particularly the implication that Obi’s security could not be guaranteed—as a veiled death threat. Such language, he argued, is unbecoming of any elected official, especially one who has sworn to protect the Constitution and ensure the rights of all citizens.

 

Ameh insisted that rather than targeting a private citizen for acts of kindness, the governor should channel his energy into uniting people and promoting democratic ideals. He noted that Peter Obi’s only “crime” was offering support to vital sectors like health and education, and that threatening him for such humanitarian work was an indictment on Okpebholo’s leadership.

 

He called on Nigerians, civil society, and other political actors to denounce the governor’s statements, stressing that it was a wake-up call for citizens to protect their constitutional freedoms. According to him, allowing any governor to threaten or intimidate political opponents would set a dangerous precedent that could undermine the country’s democracy.

 

He concluded by asserting that Edo State and Nigeria as a whole deserve leaders who respect the Constitution, uphold civil liberties, and foster inclusivity rather than stoking fear and division.

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