Edo State governor, Monday Okpebholo, has insisted that his directive to former Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State was a piece of advice, which should not be misinterpreted or taken out of context as a threat.
Governor Okpebholo made this statement on Tuesday in Benin, stressing that he has no regrets about asking the former presidential candidate to notify him before visiting the State.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the new Edo Line, a transport company owned by the State government, Okpebholo recalled that his own failure to heed such advice from the Commissioner of Police in 2024 led to the death of his police orderly.
“Because of the rain, I won’t say much. Even when I said just one word, people were already crying. What I said was a simple advice. I told him not to visit Edo without informing me. As chief security officer, it’s a basic protocol.
“If asking him to notify me is considered a crime, so be it. I have no regrets. Let me not dwell on irrelevant matters. This is not important. To the people of Edo, our message and intention have already been made clear.
“I don’t understand their pain. Is it because I said they don’t have ‘shishi’? Didn’t they say they don’t have ‘shishi’?” Okpebholo asked .
He recalled being similarly advised by the commissioner of police in 2024, when he arrived at Benin Airport, under former governor Godwin Obaseki’s administration.
“The commissioner saw me and asked me to remain at the airport. I ignored him. At the gate, my police orderly was shot dead.
“Inspector Akor Onu was killed before my very eyes. That painful experience still guides how I view security warnings and protocols to this very day.”
“I’ve seen security reports. I’ve advised Obi. If he listens, good. If not, it’s his choice. It doesn’t concern me,” he added.
* Media Report