Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, insisting that he must obtain security clearance before visiting the state again.
The warning follows Obi’s visit to Benin City on July 7, during which he donated ₦15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences to support ongoing projects.
Speaking on Friday while formally receiving Marcus Onobun, the last remaining opposition federal lawmaker in the state, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo condemned Obi’s visit and linked it to a rise in violence.
“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped ₦15 million.
“Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance.
His visit coincided with a resurgence of violence in the state and this will not be tolerated,” the governor stated.
Okpebholo also described Onobun’s defection as a major blow to the opposition:
“We are not lobbying anyone to join APC; they are coming because they see the results of our governance. In 2027, 2.5 million votes from Edo are guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu.
Last week, we finally buried the PDP in Edo State. I saw someone crying at Ring Road, talking about having 65 per cent.
“That is what we call social media winning. When I said I would become the Governor, I meant it. Today, we are turning Edo into a construction site, and they can see it.”
The governor also took aim at opposition leaders, accusing them of corruption and mismanagement:
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“Some of them stole railway funds. Some were Senate Presidents for years and could not build roads to their villages. Some sold off Nigeria’s assets and even ushered in Boko Haram and kidnappers.
“These same people now want to form new parties. Today, SDP, tomorrow ADC, next ADA. We do not need insecurity merchants.”
Sylvester Aigboboh, Acting Deputy State Chairman of APC, said Onobun’s defection was a “major boost” ahead of the upcoming senatorial rerun election.
He predicted more defections from the PDP as the 2027 elections approach.
In his own remarks, Onobun, who represents Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, said his defection was both strategic and ideological:
“I led the campaign for an Esan Governor. Now that we have one, I cannot be in the opposition. I have seen what Governor Okpebholo is doing; Edo people have seen it. I am back home to support him so that our people can get more.”
Onobun was accompanied by other former APC members who had previously defected with him to the PDP, marking what observers describe as a significant consolidation of political power in Edo State.