The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on Tuesday, insisted that the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi, should inform him of his visit to the state, noting that the statement is not a threat but advice.
The governor stated this at the commissioning of the New Edo Line Transport Company in Benin.
Recall that Okpebholo’s July 18 statement urged Obi to get security clearance before coming to the state.
The governor had said that Obi’s visit to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences on June 7, where he donated N15 million for the completion of projects in the school, coincided with the resurgence of violence and the killing of three persons.
The governor said, “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.”
However, in a statement on Sunday by the governor’s CPS, Fred Itua, he said that Okpebholo’s statement was given various misinterpretations.
Re-echoing his aide’s statement, the governor said his job was not only to work for the Edo people, but to provide security for the people and visitors to the state.
He said, “I am not supposed to talk much due to the rain. Even when they said I could talk, but just one sentence, everyone was crying.
“What I said was simply advice, don’t come to Edo without telling me.
“When I was saying it, was I chewing hot yam? Do I need one plus three to make my sentence? Do I need to read an encyclopedia before people can understand what I am saying?
“My job is not only to work for Edo people, but my job is to save the lives of Edo citizens and visitors coming into Edo.
” If telling him (Peter Obi) to notify me of his coming as the chief security officer of the state is a crime, so be it.
“I have no regrets about what I have said, and I repeat it: before you come into Edo State, notify me. It is not a threat.
“I went through this same process. I was advised when I came to the airport before the election by the then Commissioner of Police to remain at the airport.
“I ignored the advice and went out. My police escort was shot dead before my eyes.
“I have advised the former Governor of Anambra State, if he likes, let him take it; if he likes, let him dwell on social media; it does not concern me.
“I had a security report and advised the former governor of Anambra state to inform me whenever he is coming to Edo State.
“If he likes, let him take my advice”, Okpebholo said.
