Governor Okpebholo Denies Issuing Threat to Peter Obi, Insists Security Protocol Was Misunderstood

Governor Okpebholo Denies Issuing Threat to Peter Obi, Insists Security Protocol Was Misunderstood

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has refuted claims that he threatened former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, following the latter’s recent visit to Benin City.

Obi had visited Edo State on July 7, 2025, where he donated ₦15 million to the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences, a gesture aimed at aiding the completion of ongoing projects in the school.

Governor Okpebholo, however, stirred controversy when he expressed concerns about the visit, linking it to what he described as a “resurgence of violence” in the state. His warning that Mr. Obi should not re-enter the state without prior notice triggered outrage across social media and from prominent Nigerians, with many interpreting the comment as a direct threat.

In a statement released Sunday and signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo clarified his stance, insisting that his words had been “grossly misinterpreted.”

“The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to various misinterpretations surrounding the recent remarks made by His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, regarding the visit of Mr. Peter Obi to the State,” the statement read.

The governor, according to the statement, did not intend to issue any form of threat but was simply stressing the importance of protocol and security clearance when high-profile individuals plan public engagements in the state.

“As the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, it is the Governor’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and visitors alike,” the statement continued. “This duty includes ensuring that adequate security measures are in place during high-profile visits or events that may attract large crowds or media attention.”

The government noted that failure to follow proper security protocols could pose risks not only to the visitors but also to ordinary citizens who may unknowingly be caught in harm’s way.

Citing the rising wave of kidnappings and attacks on religious leaders—including Catholic priests and Christian clerics—Okpebholo’s office emphasized that the call for prior notification was rooted in concern, not hostility.

“In today’s volatile security environment, this wisdom cannot be overstated,” the statement added. “Governor Okpebholo is not Peter Obi, who, as Governor of Anambra State, detained Nasir El-Rufai when he visited.”

The Governor’s team also pushed back against critics they accuse of twisting the situation for political advantage.

“The State Government will not fold its arms and allow politically motivated activities to endanger lives,” it stated. “We expect leaders, no matter how highly placed, to align with the protocols and security realities of the areas they visit.”

Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to making Edo State secure and inclusive for all. He reiterated that his administration is doing everything possible to tackle the security challenges it inherited, urging all political figures to cooperate by following due process during visits to the state.