Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, insisting that he must obtain security clearance before entering the state again.
Speaking on Friday during the formal defection of Hon. Marcus Onobun, the last remaining opposition federal lawmaker from Edo, into the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo criticised Obi’s July 7 visit to Benin City. The former Anambra State governor had donated ₦15 million to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences during the trip.
“That man who claims 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 declared, suggesting that Obi’s visit coincided with renewed violence in the state.
The governor also hailed Onobun’s defection to the APC, describing it as “the final nail in the coffin” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo. He boasted that the APC now enjoys full control of the state’s political landscape.
“We are not lobbying anyone to join the APC; they are coming because they see the results of our governance. In 2027, 2.5 million votes from Edo are guaranteed for President Bola Tinubu. Last week, we finally buried the PDP in Edo State,” Okpebholo said.
He further accused opposition leaders of corruption and mismanagement, alleging they were behind abandoned infrastructure projects and rising insecurity.
“Some of them stole railway funds. Some were Senate Presidents for years but could not build roads to their villages. Some sold Nigeria’s assets and even ushered in Boko Haram and kidnappers. These same people now want to form new parties — today SDP, tomorrow ADC, next ADA. We do not need insecurity merchants,” he added.
Acting Deputy State Chairman of the APC, Sylvester Aigboboh, described Onobun’s return as a “major boost” for the party ahead of a crucial senatorial rerun election next month.
Onobun, who represents Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, said his defection to the APC was both “ideological and strategic.”
“I led the campaign for an Esan governor. Now that we have one, I cannot remain in the opposition. I have seen what Governor Okpebholo is doing; Edo people have seen it. I am back home to support him so that our people can get more,” he stated.
Onobun was accompanied by several former APC members who had defected with him to the PDP. Political observers have described their return as a significant boost to the ruling party’s strength ahead of future elections in the state.
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