19 July 2026
Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has warned former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi against visiting the state without prior security clearance.
This warning follows Obi’s July 7 visit to Benin City, where he donated ₦15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences. Okpebholo claims Obi’s visit coincided with a surge in violence, resulting in three deaths, and questions the source of the donated funds
“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,” Okpebholo said.
*Reactions to Okpebholo’s Warning:*
– *Lawyers’ Concerns*: Some lawyers argue that Okpebholo’s directive is unconstitutional, as no governor can bar a citizen from entering their state. They warn that such statements could incite ethnic tension, particularly given Obi’s Igbo heritage.
– *Public Figures’ Response*: Celebrities like Destiny Etiko, Tunde Ednut, and Isreal DMW have criticized Okpebholo’s warning. Isreal DMW called Okpebholo an “INEC and Supreme Court governor,” questioning the legitimacy of his mandate, while Tunde Ednut described the warning as a threat
*Okpebholo’s Claims and Predictions:*
– *APC’s Control*: Okpebholo asserts that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly taken control of Edo State, predicting 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
– *PDP’s Decline*: He described the defection of former PDP lawmaker Marcus Onobun to APC as the final nail in the coffin of the PDP in Edo State
