Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has issued a stern warning to the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, cautioning him not to enter the state without prior security clearance.
The governor declared that Obi’s safety would not be guaranteed if he visits Edo unannounced.
This warning was delivered on Friday during an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held to welcome Hon. Marcus Onobun, a member of the House of Representatives who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Governor Okpebholo criticized Obi’s recent visit to Edo State, during which the former Anambra State governor donated N15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing in Benin City for an ongoing building project. The governor questioned the source of the donation, referencing Obi’s popular political slogan that he “doesn’t give shishi” (doesn’t offer handouts).
“He came the other day and donated N15 million. Somebody that said he doesn’t give shishi, where did he get N15 million to donate to people?” Okpebholo queried.
Okpebholo also linked Obi’s visit to a spike in violence within the state, stating, “By the time he left, there was crisis. Three people died in Benin.”
In a video now circulating widely on social media, the governor declared:
“For that reason, tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me. I am sending a direct message to him that there’s a new sheriff in town. His security will never be guaranteed. He must not come to Edo without security clearance.”
The governor went further, attacking unnamed opposition figures for what he described as entrenched corruption and failure in governance. He accused some of looting public funds meant for key infrastructure and contributing to national insecurity.
“Some of them stole railway funds. Some were Senate Presidents for years and could not build roads to their villages. Some sold off Nigeria’s assets. These same people now want to form new parties. Today, SDP, tomorrow ADC, next ADA. We do not need insecurity merchants,” he said.
Meanwhile, Marcus Onobun, the newly defected lawmaker, stated that his decision to join the APC was based on both ideology and political strategy. He praised Governor Okpebholo’s leadership and expressed confidence in the governor’s vision for Edo State.
“I have seen what Governor Okpebholo is doing; Edo people have seen it. I am back home to support him so that our people can get more,” Onobun said.
His defection comes a month after his property in Iruekpen was marked for demolition by the Edo State government over alleged involvement in cult-related activities — a claim not directly addressed by Onobun during the rally.
The political temperature in Edo continues to rise ahead of future elections, with tensions growing between rival parties and their high-profile figures.
