SEEK PERMISSION BEFORE VISITING EDO OR RISK INSECURITY — OKPEBHOLO WARNS PETER OBI

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By: Sefiu Ajape

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Friday issued a strong warning to the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, cautioning that his safety in the state could not be guaranteed if he fails to seek prior approval before visiting.

The governor made the statement during a defection rally held in Uromi, the administrative headquarters of Esan North-East Local Government Area. The event marked the defection of Marcus Onobun, former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly and current PDP lawmaker representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking to the crowd, Governor Okpebholo emphasized that Obi would bear full responsibility for any consequences if he entered the state without notifying the government.

“The man wey say he no get shishi, I am sending a direct message to him: there is a new sheriff in town. He cannot come to Edo without telling me because his security will never be guaranteed. Whatever happens to him when he is in Edo State, he will take it. I am serious about it.”

The governor’s remarks were in reference to Obi’s July 7, 2025, visit to Edo State, during which the LP candidate donated N15 million to the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing in Benin. Governor Okpebholo questioned the source of the donation, suggesting it contradicted Obi’s public image.

“He came the other day and donated N15 million. Somebody wey say he no get shishi — where he get N15 million to donate to people? By the time he left, there was crisis. Three people died in Benin. So, for that reason, tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me,” the governor said.

In a 57-second video from the rally, Governor Okpebholo was also seen singing a popular street lingo gospel tune: “No be say we dey craze, na God we dey praise o.”

Speaking further on Onobun’s defection, the governor declared that the APC had taken firm control of Edo State and would eradicate all traces of opposition by the 2027 general elections.

“We are not lobbying anyone to join APC; they are coming because they see the results of our governance. In 2027, 2.5 million votes from Edo are guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu,” he boasted.

“Last week, we finally buried the PDP in Edo State. I saw someone crying at Ring Road, talking about having 65%. That is what we call social media winning. When I said I would become governor, I meant it. Today, we are turning Edo into a construction site, and they can see it,” Okpebholo added.

In his own remarks, Onobun said his defection was both ideological and strategic.

“I led the campaign for an Esan Governor. Now that we have one, I cannot be in the opposition. I have seen what Governor Okpebholo is doing; Edo people have seen it. I am back home to support him so that our people can get more,” he stated.

Onobun was accompanied into the APC by several former APC members who had previously defected with him to the PDP.