Edo Governor Clarifies Warning To Peter Obi

The Edo State Government has clarified remarks by Governor Monday Okpebholo concerning the recent visit of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

In a statement on Sunday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, said the comments were not a threat but a call for strict adherence to security protocols.

Okpebholo had recently warned Obi against visiting the state without security clearance while speaking at a political rally in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area.

“His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking,” the governor said.

His statement which elicited backlash from many Nigerians, led the state to clarify the narratives as “misinterpretations” of the Governor’s position.

“The Governor did not issue any form of threat to Mr. Obi.

“He only emphasised that politically exposed persons should notify and seek security clearance from the Governor before engaging in public activities within the state,” the statement said.

The government said the Governor’s stance is in line with his constitutional role as Chief Security Officer of Edo State, given the rising cases of attacks on religious leaders across the state.

The statement referenced previous incidents, including the killing of clergy and abduction of seminarians, and urged public figures to avoid drawing attention to communities without formal security coordination.

“Public donations to churches, hospitals, or faith-based institutions, while noble, must be approached with caution to avoid exposing these institutions and their leaders to further danger,” Itua noted.

The release also made a pointed remark, saying “Governor Okpebholo is not Peter Obi, who, as Governor of Anambra State, detained Nasir El-Rufai when he visited.”

While emphasising that Edo remains open to all Nigerians, the government warned against politicising the Governor’s position.

“The State Government will not fold its arms and allow politically motivated activities to endanger lives. We expect leaders, no matter how highly placed, to align with security protocols,” the statement said.

Okpebholo, according to the statement, is focused on tackling the insecurity his administration inherited. He called for cooperation in building a safe and inclusive state.

Edo Governor Clarifies Warning To Peter Obi is first published on The Whistler Newspaper