Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has denied threatening Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent visit to the state, insisting his comments were taken out of context.
Obi was in Benin City on July 7, 2025, where he visited St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences and donated ₦15 million towards the completion of ongoing projects.
Shortly after the visit, Governor Okpebholo reportedly condemned the former Anambra State governor’s presence in the state, citing the timing amid renewed security concerns and allegedly warning Obi against future visits without prior notice. The reported remarks sparked public backlash, with civil society groups and prominent voices online accusing the governor of overstepping his bounds.
However, in a statement issued Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the Edo State Government clarified the governor’s position, stating he never issued a threat against Obi.
“The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to various misinterpretations surrounding the recent remarks made by His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, regarding the visit of Mr. Peter Obi to the state,” the statement said.
“It is imperative to state clearly that the Governor did not issue any form of threat to Peter Obi, but rather emphasized the importance of notifying the state government and obtaining security clearance before any public engagements by high-profile individuals.”
The governor’s media office said the emphasis was on security coordination, not politics, noting that as the Chief Security Officer of the state, Okpebholo has a constitutional duty to safeguard all residents and visitors.
The statement argued that failing to inform the state government about high-profile visits could lead to serious security lapses, especially given recent attacks on religious leaders and the general volatility in parts of the South-South.
“This is not about politics,” the statement continued. “In today’s volatile security environment, the need for coordination and adequate preparation cannot be overstated. The governor’s concerns should not be twisted for political gain.”
In a subtle swipe, the statement also referenced an incident during Obi’s tenure as Anambra governor, when then-Federal Minister Nasir El-Rufai was detained during a visit to the state.
“Governor Okpebholo is not Peter Obi, who, as Governor of Anambra State, detained Nasir El-Rufai when he visited.”
The Edo government warned against politicizing security matters, urging all political figures to adhere to standard protocols for public safety.
“The governor is committed to building a safe and inclusive Edo State for all. His administration continues to tackle the security challenges it inherited, and his appeal for proper coordination should be seen as responsible governance not hostility,” the statement concluded.
