Edo Governor Issues Stark Warning To Peter Obi Over State Visits.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, cautioning him against visiting the state without prior security clearance. The governor’s remarks, made during a political rally in Uromi on Friday, 18 July 2025, have sparked widespread controversy and drawn sharp criticism for their tone and implications.
Speaking at an event to welcome Hon. Marcus Onobun, a federal lawmaker who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Okpebholo expressed frustration over Obi’s recent visit to Benin City on 7 July 2025. During that visit, Obi donated ₦15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences to support infrastructure projects. Okpebholo claimed the visit coincided with a surge in violence, alleging that three people were killed shortly after Obi’s departure. “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,” the governor declared, asserting that such unscheduled visits would no longer be tolerated.
Okpebholo, describing himself as the “new sheriff in town,” insisted that Obi’s safety could not be guaranteed unless he informs the state government before future visits. “He cannot just come into Edo without telling me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking,” he told the cheering crowd. The governor also questioned the source of Obi’s donation, referencing the politician’s public image of frugality, which he claimed was contradicted by the ₦15 million contribution.
The remarks have ignited a firestorm of reactions, with many Nigerians condemning the governor’s statements as inflammatory and unconstitutional. Legal experts have pointed out that Section 41 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to free movement across the country, rendering Okpebholo’s warning legally questionable. Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, a prominent legal scholar, described the comments as “reckless, dangerous, and beneath the office of a democratically elected governor,” urging federal authorities to investigate the remarks to prevent potential political violence.
Supporters of Peter Obi, particularly on social media platforms like X, have demanded a retraction and a public apology, labelling the governor’s words a veiled threat. Some have speculated that the warning reflects the APC’s unease with Obi’s growing influence in Edo State, where his philanthropy has resonated with local communities. As of now, neither Obi nor his media team has issued an official response to the governor’s statements.
At the same event, Okpebholo celebrated the defection of Marcus Onobun, the last remaining opposition federal lawmaker in Edo, as a significant blow to the PDP. He boasted that the APC had “buried” the opposition in the state and predicted a landslide victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, claiming 2.5 million votes from Edo alone. “We are not lobbying anyone to join APC; they are coming because they see the results of our governance,” he said, touting his administration’s efforts to transform Edo into a “construction site” of development.
Onobun, who represents Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, described his defection as both ideological and strategic. “I led the campaign for an Esan governor. Now that we have one, I cannot remain in the opposition. I have seen what Governor Okpebholo is doing, and Edo people have seen it too,” he said. He was joined by several former APC members who had previously defected to the PDP but have now returned to the ruling party.
The governor’s remarks have raised concerns about rising political tensions in Edo State, with civil society groups calling for calm and urging the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services to ensure the safety of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation. As the controversy unfolds, the incident underscores the delicate balance between governance, security, and political freedoms in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.
