Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, saying he must not enter the state again without prior security clearance.
Speaking on Friday while receiving Marcus Onobun, a member of the House of Representatives, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Okpebholo claimed that Obi’s recent visit to Edo coincided with the killing of three persons.
According to him, the former Anambra governor’s presence may have contributed to heightened tension in the state.
“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped N15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance,” the governor declared.
He further warned: “There is a new sheriff in town. He cannot come to Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed, and whatever happens to him here, he will be responsible.”
Governor Okpebholo maintained that the state government would not condone violence linked to political visits or activities and vowed to uphold law and order in Edo.
On the political front, the governor dismissed claims that the APC was lobbying members from other parties, saying those joining were doing so based on the party’s performance.
“In 2027, 2.5 million votes from Edo are guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu,” he added.
He accused some opposition leaders of fueling insecurity and underdevelopment in the country.
“Some of them stole railway funds. Some were Senate Presidents who couldn’t construct roads to their own villages. Others enabled Boko Haram and kidnappers and now move from one party to another,” he alleged.
Governor Okpebholo also declared that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) no longer had a foothold in Edo, describing its perceived popularity on social media as false and irrelevant.