Edo Governor Denies Threatening Peter Obi Over State Visit

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has denied threatening Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, following his recent visit to Benin, the state capital.

Obi had visited St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences, where he donated towards the completion of ongoing projects. However, his visit drew criticism from Governor Okpebholo, who claimed it coincided with a spike in violence across the state.

Reports had earlier quoted the governor warning Obi against future visits without prior notice, a statement that sparked backlash from various quarters, including prominent Nigerians and social media users.

In response, Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, issued a statement on Sunday clarifying the governor’s remarks. According to the statement, the comments were misinterpreted and not intended as a threat.

“The governor merely emphasized the importance of security clearance for high-profile individuals before public engagements in the state,” Itua said, stressing that such measures are necessary to safeguard public safety.

The statement further noted that the state government expects all political figures to respect local protocols and security measures, regardless of their status.