Okpebholo had earlier condemned Obi’s visit to Edo State, saying it coincided with the resurgence of violence in the state.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has insisted that the warning issued to the 2023 Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, when he visited the state was not a “threat”.
The governor made this known on Sunday in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
TheNiche had earlier reported that Obi visited Benin, the Edo State capital recently to make a donation to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences for the completion of projects in the school.
Okpebholo, however, condemned Obi’s visit to the state while addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) members during an event, saying the visit coincided with the resurgence of violence in the state.
He advised the former Anambra State governor to always obtain proper clearance before visiting the state in future, adding that he won’t guarantee his safety if he fails to do so.
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The remarks later elicited backlashes and condemnations from prominent Nigerians, politicians and social media commentators.
Reacting to the outcry, Okpebholo
said that his remarks were taken out of context.
“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.
“It is imperative to state clearly that the Governor did not issue any form of threat to Mr. Obi, but rather emphasized the need for high-profile individuals, particularly politically exposed persons, to notify and seek security clearance from the Governor before embarking on any public engagements within the state,” Itua said.
The statement added that the state government would not fold its arms and allow politically motivated activities to endanger lives, adding that they expect leaders, regardless of personality, to align with the protocols and security realities of the areas they visit.
