Edo State Governor Warns Obi To Not Enter The State Without Clearance

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has warned Labour Party leader Peter Obi not to visit the state again without obtaining security clearance from the government.

Okpebholo issued the warning on Friday during a political event welcoming federal lawmaker Marcus Onobun into the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor linked Obi’s recent visit to a spike in violence, claiming three people were killed shortly after the former Anambra governor left the state.

“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped N15 million. Where did he get it from?” Okpebholo asked. “After he left, three people were killed. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance.”

He said Obi’s safety could not be guaranteed without proper coordination with state authorities. “There is a new sheriff in town. Whatever happens to him while in Edo, he will take it,” Okpebholo added.

The governor stressed that his administration would no longer tolerate politically motivated violence and warned that anyone coming into the state must respect security protocols.

Addressing the growing strength of the APC, Okpebholo said the party is not begging anyone to join, noting that people are aligning with the APC because of the impact of its governance. He predicted that Edo would deliver 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

He accused opposition figures of fueling insecurity and corruption, saying, “Some stole railway funds. Some were Senate Presidents and couldn’t build roads to their villages. Some welcomed Boko Haram and kidnappers.”

He mocked efforts to form new political movements, describing them as distractions from the same individuals who damaged the country in the past. “Today it’s SDP, tomorrow ADC, next ADA. We don’t need insecurity merchants,” he said.

Okpebholo also claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) no longer exists in Edo, dismissing online claims of its popularity as mere noise on social media.