Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a warning to former presidential candidate Peter Obi, saying his security is not guaranteed should he visit Edo State again without prior notice to the state government.
The statement, which has sparked widespread backlash across social media, follows Obi’s recent visit to the state where he donated ₦15 million to a nursing school as part of his ongoing support for education and healthcare across Nigeria.
According to viral video clips circulating online, Okpebholo expressed anger that the Labour Party chieftain entered the state without notifying him.
In the video, the governor can be heard telling supporters: “Next time, he should tell us before coming. He cannot just come into my state and do whatever he likes. Next time, his security is not guaranteed.”
The remark has since triggered outrage, with Nigerians on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) describing the statement as a veiled threat and an affront to democracy.
“This is disturbing. A Nigerian can no longer visit a part of his own country without fear of political intimidation?” one user tweeted.
Labour Party supporters have condemned the governor’s words, demanding a retraction and an apology.
So far, the Edo State Government has not released an official statement in response to the backlash.
Is obi supposed to take permission before visiting any part of Nigeria,it should be that anything bad that happens to obi in Edo state,we know who to blame.
This is the height of intimidating and political effrontery. Arrant nonsense. So Obi must obtain Okpebolo’s permission before entering Okpebolo’s Edo State. Obi is a terror to these people no doubt.
I think the Governor is in order.We all love to be involved;we all love to be respected.We love it when honour is given to whom it is due.We don’t take it kindly when someone with a big shoes comes into our garden and dance,while pretending we do not exist or that we are of no consequences.You see,Peter Obi is no longer a small boy in Nigerian politics.Wherever he is going to do his project,it is vital that the state-Governor,if not the Traditional Ruler,must have a for-knowledge of his mission in their domain.This is called respect! It will not be a wrong ideal for him to gatecrash a Government House on his way to deliver his project and ask to intimate the Governor or his Chief -of-Staff with his mission in their state.He can stopover at any palace,and ask to see the king in whose domain he is standing on.It is called respect.Nobody vomits sugar when it is put inside his mouth.Obi will be well-advised to acknowledge authorities and give honour to whom it is due.