Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on Friday issued a stern warning to the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, cautioning him against entering the state without prior security clearance. This came days after Peter Obi visited Benin City on July 7 and donated ₦15 million to the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences for infrastructure projects.
Speaking at a political event in Benin, Okpebholo accused Peter Obi’s visit of coinciding with a sudden resurgence of violence in the state. “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, Peter Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance,” the governor said.
He further stated that Peter Obi’s movements in the state would henceforth require formal clearance, adding, “His visit coincided with a resurgence of violence in the state and this will not be tolerated. We have a responsibility to maintain peace and security.”
Political Tension as Okpebholo Declares APC Dominance in Edo
At the same event, Governor Okpebholo took a swipe at the opposition, declaring the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) “finally buried” in Edo. He celebrated the defection of former Speaker Marcus Onobun to the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling it the final nail in the PDP’s coffin.
“We are not lobbying anyone to join APC; they are coming because they see the results of our governance. In 2027, 2.5 million votes from Edo are guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu,” Okpebholo boasted. He also mocked opposition supporters he described as indulging in “social media winning.”
Reaffirming his administration’s focus on development, he said, “Today, we are turning Edo into a construction site. Our people can see the work we’re doing, and they know who to trust in 2027.”
OBIdient Movement Condemns Governor’s Threat
In a swift and strongly worded response, the OBIdient Movement condemned Governor Okpebholo’s remarks, labeling them unconstitutional and a threat to national unity. In a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Nana Kazaure, the movement described the governor’s threat as a “flagrant violation of the constitutional right to freedom of movement.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to move freely and reside anywhere in the country,” the statement read. “It is therefore disturbing and constitutionally indefensible for Governor Okpebholo to threaten or seek to restrict this fundamental right.”
The movement called on well-meaning Nigerians to resist “this descent into political intolerance and recklessness,” urging citizens to defend the democratic freedoms guaranteed to all.
Pattern of Intimidation Against Peter Obi, OBIdients Say
The OBIdient Movement also expressed concern over what it termed a “growing pattern of targeted threats” against Peter Obi by some state governors. The group referenced a similar incident in Benue State where Governor Hyacinth Alia allegedly issued a verbal warning against Peter Obi during a humanitarian mission.
“These threats must not be taken lightly. Should anything untoward happen to His Excellency Peter Obi, Nigerians will know where to look,” the statement continued. “These governors are chief security officers of their states. Their words carry weight, not just symbolically, but in their practical consequences.”
The movement emphasized that Peter Obi’s visits across the country have been focused on charity and goodwill, filling critical gaps left by the state apparatus. They warned that such visits should not become targets of political hostility.
Calls for Calm, Unity as Political Rhetoric Heats Up
Amid growing national reactions, several civil society groups and prominent citizens have called for restraint and dialogue rather than incendiary rhetoric. Analysts warn that unchecked political threats could undermine national cohesion and deepen mistrust among citizens.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us,” the OBIdient Movement reiterated. “No individual, no matter how highly placed, should attempt to fan the embers of division or incite violence with careless, unlawful rhetoric.”
With general elections still over a year away, observers say political actors must avoid setting a dangerous tone that could incite unrest or suppress legitimate democratic engagement. The tension between Governor Okpebholo and Peter Obi has now drawn national attention, with many watching to see how both camps and the federal government will respond in the coming days.
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