Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent remarks about former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
According to the governor, his comments were misinterpreted and not meant to disrespect Obi or any other political leader.
The issue began on Friday when Governor Okpebholo, while receiving a group of defectors into the All Progressives Congress (APC), criticized Obi’s recent visit to Benin City. He alleged that the visit coincided with an upsurge in local violence and linked it to the disbursement of funds during Obi’s time in the city.
“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,” Okpebholo had stated.
The remarks drew sharp criticism from various quarters, including Labour Party Senators, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), members of the OBIdient Movement, and many Nigerians who viewed the statement as politically charged and discriminatory.
In response to the backlash, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, issued a formal statement on Sunday morning through Naija News, clarifying the governor’s position.
Itua emphasized that Governor Okpebholo holds deep respect for all Nigerians, including Peter Obi, and that his administration is rooted in inclusive governance.
“Governor Okpebholo remains committed to building bridges across political divides. His vision for Edo State is one of unity, not division,” Itua stated.
He further explained that the governor’s comments were not an attack on Obi’s person but a call for all political leaders to follow established security protocols during visits to the state.
“Edo State remains a home for all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, religion, or ethnicity. However, proper procedures must be followed to ensure public safety and order,” he added.
Itua reiterated that Governor Okpebholo’s intent was to ensure security and accountability in the state, not to single out any individual for political reasons.
His statement reads: “At every point in the journey of leadership, those in authority must provide not only stewardship but also clarity. The weight of governance often demands that decisions, words, and actions reflect a deep sense of responsibility, not just to one’s immediate constituency but to the broader Nigerian family. This is the principle that guides Governor Monday Okpebholo’s leadership.
“Much like the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s compelling reflection in his 1989 book, Because I Am Involved, the current realities in Edo State require a similar declaration. The governor’s words and actions are not accidental; they are deeply rooted in duty, context, and commitment to Edo people. His statement — now the subject of public commentary — was made in a setting that demanded clarity of roles and respect for official order.
“Governor Okpebholo, a man of civility and courtesy, upholds the highest traditions of intergovernmental respect and protocol. In public events where protocol is critical, the order of recognition and speech must follow laid-down standards, especially where serving officials and guests of honour are present.
“His clarification was a restatement of this norm — that while all visitors to the state are welcome and respected, official channels and roles must be observed to maintain structure and avoid unintended misinterpretations.
“It is important to state that Edo remains a home for all Nigerians, regardless of party affiliation, faith, or creed. As a leader elected to serve every Edo citizen, Governor Okpebholo is committed to politics of inclusivity, not exclusion. His administration is one of bridges, not walls.
“Governor Okpebholo’s passion for service is evident in the transformational work already underway across Edo State. In education, his three-pronged strategy — rebuilding infrastructure, recruiting teachers, and reforming pedagogy — is returning public schools to centers of excellence.
“In agriculture, the cultivation of over 3,000 kilometers of arable land, backed by increased budgetary allocation, is reviving food production and rural enterprise.
“Major road construction projects are reconnecting communities and easing trade and mobility. On security, the governor’s support for anti-cultism and anti-kidnapping legislation, alongside thousands of operational vehicles for security agencies, shows his seriousness in keeping Edo safe.
“These are not the pursuits of a distracted leader. They are the footprints of a man focused on development, driven by duty — because he is involved.
“The beauty of Nigeria’s democracy lies in its plurality — in its allowance for differing voices, divergent views, and shared national aspirations. Governor Okpebholo holds this sacred. He respects every political leader, including Mr Peter Obi, and recognizes the role they play in deepening Nigeria’s democratic space. But, proper protocols must be adhered to by political leaders, including Obi.
“Where misunderstandings arise, it is the responsibility of leaders to clarify, not to condemn. And that is what this moment calls for: clarity. The governor’s comment was not an attack. It was a statement borne out of official protocol, not personal bias.
“Edo is at a defining moment. The mandate given to Governor Okpebholo is not just to build infrastructure but to rebuild trust. As one who listens, learns, and leads, he remains open to every Nigerian willing to see Edo thrive. The inherited issues we face as a state — from youth unemployment to security and education — demand collaboration, not confrontation.
“Let this moment not divide us but deepen our resolve for understanding. Let it remind us that even in disagreement, we must preserve our common humanity.”
