Peter Obi’s Edo visit draws backlash after Governor Okpebholo demands security clearance, prompting legal threats and political condemnation
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has defended his controversial remarks regarding the Peter Obi Edo visit, following strong criticism from prominent voices.
Also read: Edo Governor Warns Peter Obi against Future Visits Without Clearance
The governor said Obi must seek security clearance before visiting the state, a demand many viewed as a threat to the former presidential candidate’s safety.
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), described the remark as illegal and advised Obi to take legal action.
“If Governor Okpebholo does not withdraw the illegal threat because of sheer arrogance of raw power, Mr Peter Obi should file an application in the Benin Federal High Court,” Falana stated.
The African Democratic Congress and the Obidient Movement also condemned the comment, calling it undemocratic.
In a statement, Okpebholo’s spokesman, Fred Itua, said the governor’s comment was misunderstood. He explained that the statement was about security protocol, not political hostility.
“It is the governor’s constitutional duty to ensure safety during public events, especially involving high-profile figures,” Itua clarified.
He said rising threats, including attacks on religious leaders, made it vital to involve security agencies in planning visits like the Peter Obi Edo visit.
Okpebholo added that public donations at religious events, though noble, should be handled with caution.
He said, “The governor’s comments on the need for discretion in public giving are rooted in both security intelligence and moral responsibility.”
He also drew comparisons with a 2013 incident involving Obi and former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai.
However, Dr Yunusa Tanko, a key figure in the Obidient Movement, rejected the claim. He said it was false to blame Obi for El-Rufai’s detention.
Tanko stated, “I was the national IPAC chairman during that election. It was the PDP government that denied El-Rufai access, not Peter Obi.”
He said the governor’s account was either deliberately false or based on poor information.
“Governor Okpebholo festers on lies. Even El-Rufai himself cannot repeat that claim after I debunked it,” he added.
Tanko also shared evidence from the 2013 election to support his claims.
ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi warned that threats against opposition leaders were becoming a trend among APC governors.
He said, “This is not the first time. Nigeria is a free country, and every citizen has the right to travel without seeking permission.”
He accused the governor of fostering an authoritarian culture and urged Nigerians to resist such behaviour.
“This must be stopped before it becomes the norm. We don’t need a visa to visit any state in Nigeria,” Abdullahi said.
He also said the party was informing the global community about this growing threat to democracy.
Also read: Peter Obi 2027 Presidential Support Backed by Delta LP Lawmaker
The Peter Obi Edo visit continues to spark national conversation about free movement, political maturity and the limits of state power.
