Benin City, Edo State – The political landscape in Nigeria has been stirred by a recent outspoken directive from Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who has controversially barred the former Governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from entering Edo State without his explicit approval. This unprecedented stance, which includes a warning that Obi’s security may not be guaranteed if he deviates, has attracted widespread condemnation from Nigerians across various divides.
According to a report by Tori Express, Governor Okpebholo on Friday last week issued a stern warning, stating that Obi’s security could not be guaranteed if he visited the state without prior notification and approval. The governor’s strong words stem from a previous visit by Obi on June 7, when he reportedly donated N15 million for project completion at St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences. Governor Okpebholo alleged that this philanthropic visit “triggered the resurgence of violence,” which he claimed led to the death of at least three persons in Benin.
In a fiery outburst, Governor Okpebholo declared, “There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed.” He further emphasized the gravity of his warning, stating, “If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking.” The governor reiterated his core accusation, “After he left, there was unrest in Benin, and three people lost their lives. That’s why I’m saying this: tell Obi not to step into Edo without informing me first.”
Obi’s Visit Did Not Cause Unrest – Edo LP Counters Governor Okpebholo
However, the Labour Party in Edo State has vehemently refuted the governor’s claims, dismissing any link between Obi’s visit and the alleged violence. Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, the Edo State Labour Party Chairman, in an interview, asserted that there were no records of violence or stampede during Obi’s presence in the state.
Ogbaloi categorically disputed the governor’s allegations, stating, “I’m not aware of any incident of people dying in Edo State. If anyone had died because of Obi’s visit, we would all know.” He went on to suggest an alternative cause for any recent fatalities, attributing them to an ongoing “court war” within the state’s political circles. “And the truth is that if anyone actually died out of violence recently, it is because of the court war they are running in Edo State,” Ogbaloi concluded.
This unprecedented directive from Governor Okpebholo has ignited a fresh round of debate and drawn significant criticism from various quarters across Nigeria. Critics argue that such a unilateral restriction on a citizen’s freedom of movement, especially a prominent political figure, without concrete evidence, raises questions about democratic principles and the rule of law.
As the verbal sparring continues, the precise cause of the alleged violence in Edo State remains a point of contention, with the governor and the Labour Party offering conflicting narratives. The incident underscores the heightened political tensions in the state, particularly with upcoming political activities, and leaves many questioning the implications of such executive pronouncements on civil liberties and the political climate.
