Political tension in Edo State escalated on Thursday as Governor Monday Okpebholo issued a bold warning to Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi. The governor declared that Obi must not enter Edo State without first seeking clearance from him, stirring widespread political reactions.
Governor Okpebholo made the statement while addressing supporters in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area. He was receiving Hon. Marcus Onobun, a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly and a sitting PDP lawmaker representing Esan West/Igueben/Central at the House of Representatives, who officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor used the occasion to send a strongly worded message to Obi, suggesting his presence in the state had led to unrest.
Referring to Obi’s recent visit to Edo where he donated N15 million to a nursing school, Okpebholo linked the donation to a crisis that, according to him, resulted in three deaths. He criticized the former Anambra governor, questioning the source of the donation and labeling him a hypocrite. Okpebholo also ridiculed Obi’s “no shishi” slogan, insinuating that his financial contributions contradicted his campaign message.
In his words, delivered partly in pidgin and English, the governor said: “The man wey say e no get shishi, I am sending a direct message to him. He cannot come to Edo without telling me. A new Sheriff is in town.”
He went further, accusing Obi of creating instability during his last visit. “He came the other day and donated N15m. By the time he left after donating the money, there was crisis and three people died in Benin. Tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me.”
Governor Okpebholo also used the opportunity to boast of the APC’s growing dominance in the state. He declared that his party was not begging anyone to defect. Instead, he said, people were joining the APC because they were impressed with his leadership. According to him, Edo State is now under construction, and the results are already visible.
He also made bold political projections, promising that in 2027, Edo would deliver 2.5 million votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While taking another jab at the opposition, Okpebholo mocked the PDP’s perceived popularity on social media. “Last week, we finally buried the PDP in Edo State. I saw someone crying at Ring Road, talking about having 65%. That is what we call social media winning,” he said.
However, the governor’s comments sparked immediate backlash from opposition voices. Chief Peter Ameh, a chieftain of the Labour Party and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), condemned the warning as both “despicable” and “unconstitutional.” He described it as an assault on democratic principles, warning that no elected official has the authority to restrict the movement of a citizen, let alone a former presidential candidate.
The political climate in Edo State appears to be heating up ahead of the next election cycle. With cross-party defections and bold declarations from top figures, the state remains a key battleground. However, many observers believe Governor Okpebholo’s remarks may deepen political divisions rather than foster peace.
As both parties brace for the months ahead, it is clear that Edo politics is entering a new and volatile chapter—one defined by high stakes, sharp words, and deepening rivalries.
