Daniel Otera
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has stirred controversy with a stern warning to former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, cautioning him against visiting the state without prior notification to government authorities.
Speaking during a political rally in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, Okpebholo declared that Obi’s security would not be guaranteed if he made an unannounced entry into Edo State.
“The man wey say he no get shishi, I am sending a direct message to him: there is a new sheriff in town. He cannot come to Edo without telling me because his security will never be guaranteed. Whatever happens to him when he is in Edo State, he will take it. I am serious about it,” Okpebholo stated emphatically.
The governor’s remarks come in the wake of Obi’s recent visit to St. Philomena Catholic Church in Benin, where he reportedly donated ₦15 million. The visit, which some described as politically motivated, allegedly triggered tensions that resulted in the deaths of three persons during an altercation that followed the event.
Okpebholo accused Obi of trying to destabilize the peace in Edo State under the guise of philanthropy, insisting that such visits without official clearance would no longer be tolerated.
The governor’s comments have sparked heated debate across the country. Supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo applauded Okpebholo’s boldness, describing it as a necessary stance to maintain law and order ahead of the September 2025 governorship election.
However, Labour Party loyalists and Obi’s supporters have condemned the statement as reckless and a veiled threat against democratic freedoms. Some argue that such comments could inflame political tensions in an already charged pre-election atmosphere.
Analysts believe the warning reflects the growing rivalry between APC and Labour Party in Edo, where Obi enjoys significant grassroots support. The call for prior notice, they argue, could be an attempt to control the narrative and limit the opposition’s influence ahead of the polls.
Human rights advocates have also weighed in, stressing that every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation, has the constitutional right to freedom of movement without intimidation.
As the political temperature rises in Edo State, observers warn that statements like these could escalate tensions if not managed carefully. Neither Obi nor his media team has responded officially to the governor’s remarks at press time.