Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised a recent statement by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, describing it as a threat not only to Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi but to all Nigerians.
Atiku made the comment in a post on Tuesday, July 22, via his verified Twitter account. His response came days after Governor Okpebholo warned that Obi must seek security clearance before entering Edo State.
“Let it be known that a threat against Peter Obi or any of us is a threat against ALL of us,” Atiku tweeted.
The governor had made the controversial remarks during a political event marking the defection of federal lawmaker Marcus Onobun to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Okpebholo accused Obi of sparking unrest during his recent visit to Edo.
READ ALSO: Gov Okpebholo’s Warning to Peter Obi Not Threat — Edo Govt
“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,” the governor stated.
He further claimed that Obi’s presence in the state coincided with a spike in violence and warned that such visits would not be tolerated without prior notification.
Obi had earlier visited St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences in Benin, where he donated ₦15 million towards an ongoing project.
Governor Okpebholo’s comments have sparked backlash from the public and opposition figures who view the remarks as an attempt to intimidate and restrict political engagement in the state.
Many argue that such rhetoric undermines democratic participation and freedom of movement for opposition candidates.