The Edo State Government has clarified that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s recent statement about Peter Obi was not a threat.
The governor had earlier said that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, must get security clearance before visiting the state again.
Okpebholo made the remark while reacting to Obi’s visit to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences in June where Obi donated 15 million naira for project completion.
The governor linked Obi’s visit to the resurgence of violence in Edo State. He said three people were killed after Obi’s visit and insisted such visits must not continue without proper security arrangements.
He said, “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped 15 million naira. 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.”
Following public reactions, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, issued a statement on Sunday saying the governor’s comment was misunderstood.
He said, “It is imperative to state clearly that the Governor did not issue any form of threat to Mr. Obi, but rather emphasised the need for high-profile individuals, particularly politically exposed persons, to notify and seek security clearance from the Governor before embarking on any public engagements within the state.”
Itua explained that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, the governor has a duty to protect residents and visitors. He added that failure to follow security protocols creates risks for both visitors and locals.
He noted that Edo State has suffered attacks and abductions of religious leaders and seminarians, and warned that public donations should be done with caution.
He said, “The governor’s comments on the need for discretion in public giving are rooted in both security intelligence and moral responsibility. The Holy Scripture reminds us that giving is best done in private, as Jesus admonished us in Matthew 6:2-4.”
Itua also recalled that Obi, when he was governor of Anambra, detained Nasir El-Rufai during a visit, adding that Okpebholo’s comment should not be turned into political attacks.
He stressed that Edo State welcomes all Nigerians but expects them to respect the state’s security protocols.
