Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has reaffirmed his stance on advising former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to always notify the state government before visiting Edo.
Speaking on Tuesday during the commissioning of the revamped New Edo Line transport company in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo declared he has no regrets over the statement, stressing it was made purely in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
“What I said was simply an advice. I said, ‘Don’t come to Edo State without telling me.’ If that is a crime, so be it. It is not a threat,” Okpebholo emphasized.
Recalling a tragic incident from 2024, Okpebholo explained that failure to follow a similar security advisory once led to the death of his police orderly, Inspector Akor Onu, at the Benin Airport. “I have security reports. I only advised the former Governor of Anambra State. Whether he listens or not is up to him,” he added.
While addressing the public, the Governor dismissed criticisms over his comments, saying, “I don’t know which one is paining them. Is it because I said they don’t have shishi? Don’t they say that themselves?”
Shifting focus to infrastructure development, Okpebholo attributed the re-establishment of Edo Line to the increased federal allocation to the state, thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support.
“The dream of Edo Line would not have been possible without a leader like President Tinubu,” he said. “His renewed hope agenda has transformed this country.”
He also expressed gratitude to Edo citizens for electing him governor, stating that their votes marked the beginning of the state’s progress. “What is happening today is a dream come true. The Edo people have been in the wilderness for a very long time,” he said.
The comment to Peter Obi initially sparked controversy when Governor Okpebholo made the statement during the defection of Hon. Marcus Onobun to the APC on July 18, 2025.
Despite the backlash, the Governor remains unapologetic, insisting that his words were rooted in security concerns and not political hostility.
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