Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a strong warning to the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, insisting that he must obtain security clearance from the state government before making any further visits.
The governor’s warning follows Obi’s recent trip to Benin City on July 17, during which the former Anambra State governor donated ₦15 million to the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences.
Governor Okpebholo questioned both the intent and timing of Obi’s visit, alleging that it coincided with a wave of violence in the area.
According to the governor, three people were killed shortly after Obi’s departure, a development he suggested was linked to the unannounced visit.
“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,” Okpebholo stated. “For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance.”
The governor emphasized that the state government could not guarantee Obi’s safety without proper notification and coordination with local security agencies.
He described the timing of the visit as “suspicious” and warned that uncoordinated political movements could pose a security risk to the state.
“Edo is a peaceful state, and we intend to keep it that way. No one—no matter how popular—will be allowed to disrupt that peace,” he added.
As of the time of filing this report, Peter Obi has not responded publicly to the governor’s remarks.
