Tension Rises: Edo Governor Issues Bold Warning To Peter Obi — “Stay Out Without Clearance

This marks the second time an All Progressives Congress (APC)-led state has cautioned Obi over his visits, including those said to be for humanitarian purposes.

In a video now circulating widely on social media, Governor Okpebholo addressed a group of political supporters and made it clear that Obi’s safety could not be guaranteed if he enters Edo without proper communication.

“This message is for the man who says he has no ‘shishi’,” the governor said, referring to Obi with a slang term for having no money. “There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he’ll have himself to blame. This is not a joke.”

Governor Okpebholo also criticized Obi’s past visit to the state, during which he reportedly donated N15 million. He questioned the contradiction between Obi’s public image of financial modesty and the donation.

“He came previously and handed out N15 million. A man who claims to have no money—where did that come from?” the governor asked. “After his visit, chaos broke out in Benin, and three people lost their lives. That’s why I’m saying this: Obi must notify me before stepping into Edo again.”

This latest development follows a similar incident in April when Peter Obi was reportedly cautioned against visiting Benue State, where he had planned to visit an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp housing victims of herdsmen attacks.