Benin City, Nigeria — The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has explained that his recent remarks about Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, were not intended as a threat.
Governor Okpebholo made headlines on Friday during a public event in Edo, where he said Obi should not visit the state again without proper security clearance. His comments came after a recent visit by Obi to the state reportedly happened around the same time three people were killed.
In response to public reactions, the governor released a statement to clarify his position. According to him, the message was not meant to scare or threaten Peter Obi or anyone else. Instead, he stressed that it’s important for high-profile political figures to inform the state government and request security arrangements before attending public events in Edo.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, it is my duty to protect everyone—residents and visitors,” Okpebholo said. “When high-profile figures like Mr. Obi come into the state, we need to make sure there are enough safety measures in place, especially since such visits can attract large crowds and media attention.”
The governor warned that ignoring these security steps could put not only the visitor at risk but also ordinary citizens who may be nearby during such events.
Governor Okpebholo also highlighted the rising cases of attacks and kidnappings involving religious leaders, especially Catholic priests and other Christian clerics in the state. He said that public donations made by visitors to churches or hospitals, while well-meaning, must be done with caution.
“There have been past incidents of abductions and killings of seminarians and clergy in Edo. Public giving, especially by popular figures, should be done discreetly to avoid exposing those institutions to danger,” he explained.
He added that his warning came from a place of security intelligence and moral duty, not politics. The governor made it clear that he is not trying to stop any leader from coming to Edo, but they must follow the correct procedures.
In a final remark, Governor Okpebholo recalled how, during Peter Obi’s time as governor of Anambra State, he detained former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai during a visit—suggesting that Obi should understand the need for security protocols himself.
“The Edo State Government will not sit back and allow political visits to put people’s lives at risk,” he said. “All leaders, no matter how important they are, must respect the security arrangements in place when they visit.”
This statement is meant to calm any rising tensions and prevent the issue from becoming a political controversy. It’s a reminder that safety should come first, especially in today’s uncertain security environment.
