Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Tuesday insisted that the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, must inform him before visiting Edo State.
Okpebholo reiterated that as governor, his responsibility includes the protection of the lives of all Edo people and visitors to the state.
The governor, who spoke in Benin City at the commissioning of the new Edo Line Transport Company, explained that his earlier statement on the matter was advisory and not a threat.
It would be recalled that Governor Okpebholo had, at a rally on Thursday last week, warned that Obi must not venture into the state without first obtaining his consent.
Okpebholo added that should Obi defy the directive, “his security will never be guaranteed. Whatever happens to him when he is in Edo State, he will take it. I am serious about it.”
Speaking at the commissioning of the transportation company, Okpebholo said: “I don’t need to read an encyclopaedia for people to understand what I was saying. My job is to save lives, including all Edo people and visitors coming to Edo.
“If telling him as the Chief Security Officer of this state is a crime, so be it. I have no regret about it. I repeat, before coming to Edo, notify me. It is not a threat. We have made our statement clear.”
The governor justified the directive by citing the killing that took place at the Benin Airport during the build-up to the September 22, 2024, governorship electioneering in the state.
“I went through this same process. I was advised, when I came to the airport, 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,” Okpebholo reiterated.
Speaking on the New Edo Line, Governor Okpebholo said the project was made possible because of the support from President Bola Tinubu.
“What we are seeing today is a dream come true. Edo people have been in the wilderness for a very long time. Thank God they opened their eyes and chose to follow the path of Lagos this time around.”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who performed the official commissioning of the company, said that Okpebholo was right to have asked that Obi inform the governor before coming to the state.
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