Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, don reply people wey dey drag am after im talk about Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Di matter don cause serious gbege, as human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and di Obidient Movement don blast am.
Okpebholo talk say Obi suppose get security clearance before e visit Edo State. Many people vex, say di talk na threat to Obi life and e fit set dangerous example for Nigeria democracy.
Falana don beg Obi make e carry di matter go court, say na illegal threat. Dr Yunusa Tanko wey be ADC and Obidient Movement leader, accuse di governor of intimidation and say na lie im dey talk.
But Edo State Government say people just dey twist wetin di governor talk. Dem say e no mean any threat — na normal security protocol e dey follow, no be wahala for opposition.
For one statement from Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, di government talk say:
“Di attention of Edo State Government don reach di misinterpretation of wetin Governor Monday Okpebholo talk about Peter Obi visit. Make we talk am clear: di governor no threaten Obi. E just dey talk say important people, especially political people, suppose inform and get clearance before dem do public event for Edo.
“As di Chief Security Officer of di state, e get right to protect everybody — both people wey dey live here and visitors.
“If dem no follow this kind protocol, e go fit open door to serious security wahala, both for di visitor and for citizens wey fit jam gbege by mistake.”
Itua still talk say di governor talk make sense, especially as attacks and kidnapping dey happen steady, especially to religious leaders like Catholic priests.
E remind people say Edo don suffer bad things like abduction of seminarians and killing of pastors. E also warn say public donations to churches, hospitals, and religious bodies suppose get proper security plan so dem no go put dem for more danger.
