Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo on Monday dismissed recent reports suggesting he threatened presidential hopeful Peter Obi during the latter’s visit to Benin City last week. Speaking at a press briefing in Government House, Okpebholo described the allegations as “wildly inaccurate” and emphasized that all interactions between his office and visiting dignitaries are conducted in strict compliance with established security and administrative protocols.
“At no point did my administration issue any threat—overt or implied—against Mr. Peter Obi,” the governor stated. “Our security agencies and protocol officers operate independently and professionally. Any suggestion to the contrary is a misrepresentation designed to sow discord.” He went on to clarify that arrangements for Obi’s engagement with Edo residents were coordinated months in advance through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government and the Nigeria Police Force.
Okpebholo acknowledged that there had been a misunderstanding over the sequence of event approvals but stressed that such hitches are not uncommon when coordinating high-profile visits. “We value the right of all citizens, including political figures, to address Edo people. We simply insist that everyone follows the proper channels to ensure their safety and the smooth running of the event,” he said.
Peter Obi’s camp had earlier issued a statement expressing frustration over what it termed “unnecessary hurdles” placed in the way of his town-hall meeting. However, neither Obi nor his aides have provided specific details of any altercation. Observers say the spat appears to be part of growing tensions among leading contenders as Nigeria approaches the 2027 elections.
Governor Okpebholo concluded by calling on the media and political actors to “focus on substantive policy debates” rather than unverified claims. He reiterated his commitment to working constructively with all stakeholders to promote peace and development in Edo State.
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