Benin City, July 18, 2025
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has issued a sharp warning to Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate Peter Obi, declaring that his security would not be guaranteed unless he obtains official clearance before entering Edo State.
Speaking at an APC rally in Uromi, Esan North East LGA — where he welcomed Honourable Marcus Onobun, a former PDP lawmaker, into the APC — Governor Okpebholo cited Obi’s recent visit on July 7 as the trigger for a disturbing surge in violence.
“He came the other day and donated ₦15 million … By the time he left, there was crisis. Three people died in Benin,” the governor stated. “Tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me … His security will never be guaranteed”.
He went on to reproach Obi for alleged hypocrisy — questioning how Obi, who had publicly claimed not to give “shishi” (small donations), managed to provide ₦15 million in contributions to the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Science.
Okpebholo framed the incident as part of a broader crackdown on corruption in Edo State. Highlighting alleged misdeeds by past opposition figures — including misappropriation of railway funds and the sale of national assets — he vowed that such “insecurity merchants” would not succeed under his administration.
APC Bolsters Strength with Onobun’s Defection
Onobun, the Federal Representative for Esan West/Igueben/Central, explained his defection as both “ideological and strategic,” crediting Governor Okpebholo’s developmental agenda. He emphasized that Edo people had observed real progress and that he was returning to support what he views as a transformational government.
Obidients and CUPP Condemn the Governor’s Statement
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and other Obidient supporters sharply criticized Governor Okpebholo’s pronouncement:
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Chief Peter Ameh, National Secretary of CUPP, labeled the warning “utterly deplorable” and called it a “veiled threat” that contravenes Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of freedom of movement and expression.
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Critics pontificate that Okpebholo’s stance is a “shameful display of governance” and urged civil society and traditional institutions to call for accountability.
Context and Stakes
The governor’s warning arrives as Edo’s ruling APC appears to be consolidating its hold. With Onobun’s defection and the party’s renewed confidence—bolstered by infrastructure projects and promises of “burying” the PDP in the 2027 elections—it signals a high-stakes political climate ahead of the next polls.
What’s Next?
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Peter Obi’s camp has yet to officially respond.
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Security agencies have not commented on the implications of denying clearance or the constitutional right to free movement.
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Eyo 2027 Campaign: Whether Obi will apply for clearance or attempt to defy the warning may shape national political narratives.
This development raises critical questions:
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Can a state governor legally require clearance for a citizen's movement?
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Will such warnings deter high-profile visits in politically charged states?
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How will Obi and the LP respond — with compliance or confrontation?
Keep following News House for updates as this situation unfolds in Edo State.
