Africa-Press – Nigeria. Following the barrage of blacklash that trailed the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo’s statement directing the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi to obtain clearance from him before coming to the State, the state government said Okpebholo is not Peter Obi, who, as Governor of Anambra State, detained Nasir El-Rufai when he visited.
A gale of criticisms on various social media platforms and the press have been trailing the Governor Okpebholo’s statement made on Friday, July 18, 2025, directing Peter Obi to take permission from him before coming to the State.
Okpebholo gave the directive while receiving Marcus Onobun, representing Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben federal constituency who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, titled, “Edo State Open to all Nigerians, but security protocols must be followed”, however, added that the Governor’s concerns should not be twisted for political mileage by individuals seeking to score cheap points.
“In today’s volatile security environment, this wisdom cannot be overstated. Governor Okpebholo is not Peter Obi, who, as a Governor of Anambra State, detained Nasir El-Rufai when he visited”, he said.
Itua opined that the governor’s position is particularly relevant in the light of the rising attacks and abductions of religious leaders, especially Catholic priests and Christian clerics.
The statement read, “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to various misinterpretations surrounding the recent remarks made by His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, regarding the visit of Mr. Peter Obi to the State.
“It is imperative to state clearly that the Governor did not issue any form of threat to Mr. Obi, but rather emphasized the need for high-profile individuals, particularly politically exposed persons, to notify and seek security clearance from the Governor before embarking on any public engagements within the State.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Edo State, it is the Governor’s constitutional responsibility to safeguard the lives and property of all residents and visitors alike. This duty includes ensuring that adequate security measures are put in place during high-profile visits or events that may attract large crowds or media attention.
“When such protocols are ignored, it creates serious security vulnerabilities, not only for the visitor but also for citizens who may be caught in avoidable threats.
“Governor Okpebholo’s position is particularly relevant in light of the rising attacks and abductions of religious leaders, especially Catholic priests and Christian clerics.
“Edo State has witnessed its share of these tragic incidents, including the abduction of seminarians and the killing of clergy in recent years. Public donations made to churches, hospitals, or other faith-based institutions, while noble in intent, must be approached with caution and in full consultation with the appropriate security channels, to avoid exposing these institutions and their leaders to further danger.
“The Governor’s comments on the need for discretion in public giving are rooted in both security intelligence and moral responsibility.
“The Holy Scripture reminds us that giving is best done in private, as Jesus admonished us in Matthew 6: 2 – 4 that, “when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpet…but when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
“In today’s volatile security environment, this wisdom cannot be overstated. Governor Okpebholo is not Peter Obi, who, as Governor of Anambra State, detained Nasir El-Rufai when he visited.
“Furthermore, the Governor’s concerns should not be twisted for political mileage by individuals seeking to score cheap points. The State Government will not fold its arms and allow politically motivated activities to endanger lives. We expect leaders, no matter how highly placed, to align with the protocols and security realities of the areas they visit.
“Governor Okpebholo is committed to a safe and inclusive Edo State for all. His administration is working tirelessly to address the insecurity it inherited, and his call for coordination and orderliness should be seen as a measure of responsible governance, not hostility.
“The Edo State Government will continue to welcome all well-meaning Nigerians, provided appropriate security and procedural protocols are respected”, it stated.
Meanwhile, a statement by Barrister Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, the Edo State Publicity Secretary of APC, posited that in every functional democracy, no right is absolute, not even the right to movement.
Uwadiae averred that in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, fundamental rights are subject to limitations, especially when public safety and security are at stake.
The statement titled, “Re: misconstrued comments by Governor Monday Okpebholo on H.E.Peter Obi’s visit to Edo State£.
“In every functional democracy, no right is absolute, not even the right to movement. As enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, fundamental rights are subject to limitations, especially when public safety and security are at stake. This principle applies even more to high-profile visits that bear both political and security significance”, he added.
The APC state publicity secretary, however, described the statement of banning the former Anambra State Governor from visiting Edo State as false and a gross misrepresentation of the governor Okpebholo’s position and responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of the state
“The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to various interpretations and misrepresentations surrounding the remarks made by *His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo*, on the 18th of July, 2025, at the political decamping event in Edo State.
“We consider it necessary to offer clarification, put the record straight, and address the unfortunate politicization of the Governor’s well-intentioned comments regarding the visit of His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi.
“Let it be stated unequivocally: Governor Okpebholo did not, at any point, issue a ban or discourage Mr. Peter Obi from visiting Edo State. Such a narrative is not only false but also a gross misrepresentation of the governor’s position and responsibility as the Chief Security Officer of the state.
“Governor Okpebholo’s statement was made purely based on protocol and security intelligence. In his capacity as Chief Security Officer, he bears the constitutional obligation to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors to the state, including dignitaries like Mr. Obi.
” It is a matter of standard procedure that the Governor is notified in advance when such notable personalities are visiting, to enable the state’s security architecture to make adequate arrangements for their safety.
“It is worth recalling that during Mr. Obi’s previous visit, there were notable security concerns, including a spike in incidents that strained the state’s apparatus. While no one attributed those issues directly to his person, the state must act proactively to avoid any repeat, and this begins with proper communication and security planning.
“This is not peculiar to Mr. Obi. Similar protocols have been observed with other visiting dignitaries across party lines. It is not political. It is procedural. Intelligence gathering, risk assessment, and proactive security deployment are routine elements of governance, particularly in a state like Edo with heightened political activity.
“Therefore, any attempt to twist the Governor’s words into a political attack or threat is misleading, unfortunate, and unnecessary. His Excellency merely emphasized that in the interest of Mr. Obi’s safety—and by extension, public order—the state deserves to be formally informed of such visits, as is customary anywhere else in the country.
“The Governor remains committed to upholding democratic values, protecting all residents and visitors, and fostering a peaceful political climate in Edo State. We urge the public to disregard any divisive interpretation of his comments and focus on the facts: security first, politics second”, he added.
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