Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has publicly cautioned Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, against visiting the southern Nigerian state without formally notifying local authorities. The warning, delivered during a political gathering and circulated widely on social media, raises tensions amid Nigeria’s charged political climate while spotlighting concerns over opposition movements and regional security.
In a video address, Okpebholo, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), declared that Obi’s safety could not be guaranteed if he entered Edo without official clearance. Directly addressing the former presidential hopeful, he invoked local slang to mock Obi’s claims of limited personal wealth: “This message is for the man who says he has no ‘shishi’ [money]. There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot come into Edo without informing me. If anything happens to him, he’ll have himself to blame.”
The governor linked Obi’s prior visit to Edo’s capital, Benin City, to post-visit unrest that left three dead, though no evidence directly connecting Obi to the violence was provided. He also questioned the origin of ₦15 million ($10,000) reportedly donated by Obi during that trip, contrasting the gesture with Obi’s public persona as a frugal leader. “A man who claims to have no money—where did he get that from?” Okpebholo asked supporters.
This marks the second instance in recent months where an APC-led state government has challenged Obi’s movements. In April, Benue State officials reportedly discouraged his planned visit to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp sheltering victims of communal clashes, citing undisclosed security concerns. Obi, a prominent opposition figure who finished third in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential race, has positioned himself as an advocate for grassroots welfare, often touring regions affected by poverty or instability.
While governors hold constitutional authority over state security operations, critics argue such warnings risk politicizing public safety and stifling political dissent. Neither Obi nor the Labour Party has issued an official response to Okpebholo’s remarks. Analysts note the exchanges reflect broader friction between Nigeria’s ruling party and opposition figures ahead of upcoming local elections, with security protocols increasingly serving as a flashpoint in partisan disputes.
