Tension As Okpebholo Draws Line: Edo Belongs To Nigeria—With Conditions!

OKPEBHOLO CLARIFIES CONTROVERSIAL STANCE ON OBI: STATE WELCOMES ALL BUT WITH PROTOCOLS

Fresh waves of public criticism have emerged following Governor Monday Okpebholo’s remark that the former governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, is unwelcome in Edo State without prior approval.

According to iReporter Online, the backlash against the governor’s comment has drawn reactions from multiple stakeholders, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC), human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana (SAN), and the Ogbako Ndígbo Nile Worldwide.

In a bid to manage the fallout, the Edo State Government issued a clarification that Governor Okpebholo did not issue any threats against Obi. Rather, the government emphasized the importance of following security protocols—especially for high-profile political figures—before conducting public engagements in the state.

Despite this clarification, Edo State APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, backed the governor’s remarks, stressing that Okpebholo’s demand for security clearance is necessary, citing security risks associated with public visits by figures like Obi. “There are many people like the former Anambra governor,” Tenebe said, implying that Obi has adversaries within the state who might act against him.

Adding to the controversy, Presidential Aide Temitope Ajayi advised Mr. Obi to always notify state governors before embarking on political tours to avoid potential misunderstandings or security gaps.

During a political rally in Uromi, located in Esan North-East LGA, Governor Okpebholo had warned that Obi should not enter Edo State without proper security clearance. “There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking,” the governor reportedly stated.

Following public outrage, the state government reiterated that Governor Okpebholo’s statement was not a threat but a security advisory based on intelligence and caution.

According to iReporter Online, the government stressed the governor’s constitutional role as the chief security officer of the state, obligated to protect both residents and visitors.

The official statement also referenced the alarming spate of attacks and kidnappings, particularly those targeting clergy and faith-based institutions. In light of such dangers, the governor urged that even well-meaning acts such as church donations or hospital visits be coordinated with security agencies to prevent unintended risks.

Drawing on Christian scripture, the statement invoked Matthew 6:2–4, highlighting the virtue of discreet charity, aligning this with the governor’s stance that public engagements must be properly planned and safeguarded. “Governor Okpebholo is not Peter Obi, who, as Governor of Anambra State, once detained Nasir El-Rufai during a political visit,” the statement remarked, suggesting the current governor’s caution was far more measured.

The statement added that the governor’s insistence on protocol should not be politicized or misrepresented as hostility. “Governor Okpebholo is committed to a safe and inclusive Edo State for all,” the government declared. “His call for coordination should be seen as a demonstration of responsible governance, not political vendetta,” according to iReporter Online.

Meanwhile, APC Chairman Tenebe doubled down, saying Obi’s visit could spark tension due to unresolved grievances. “There’s deep resentment for Obi in this state, including from me,” he said. “That’s why the governor was right. Let him inform us before coming so we can prepare.”

Tenebe went further, dismissing the relevance of ADC in Edo, declaring that only PDP and APC matter in the state. He warned ADC supporters to leave the state if they wished to be affiliated with the party.

Reacting strongly, ADC’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, condemned what he described as a troubling trend of APC governors trying to restrict political rivals. He noted that such actions threaten Nigeria’s democracy and called for international attention. “Nigeria is a free country; we don’t need a visa to move within it,” he said, warning that this growing authoritarianism must be checked before it spirals further.

Femi Falana (SAN) also issued a powerful condemnation of Okpebholo’s comment, saying it violates Peter Obi’s right to life and freedom of movement as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He called on the governor to retract his statement, apologize, and assure Obi’s safety.

Should the governor fail to act, Falana advised that Obi file a fundamental rights enforcement suit at the Federal High Court in Benin. “Given the current climate of mob violence and extra-judicial killings, this must be treated with urgency,” he stated.

Similarly, the Ogbako Ndígbo Nile Worldwide expressed outrage over the governor’s “thoughtless and inflammatory” remarks. In a statement issued by its President-General, Ambassador Akpelu Azuka, the group described the governor’s rhetoric as a dangerous escalation of ethnic provocation against the Igbo.

Ambassador Azuka decried the consistent vilification of the Igbo under political guises and warned that no ethnic group holds a monopoly on violence. He urged Edo citizens to reject divisive politics and cautioned federal authorities to act swiftly in preventing the incitement of ethnic tensions.

In conclusion, the controversy surrounding Governor Okpebholo’s stance on Peter Obi’s visit to Edo State continues to stoke national debate, raising critical questions about freedom of movement, political tolerance, and the limits of gubernatorial authority.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”