“Don’t enter Edo without Permission”: Governor Okpebholo’s message to Peter Obi and the ripple of reactions
Why Nigeria’s Leaders Flee Abroad for Healthcare While Public Hospitals Collapse. Photo credit; Eja Manifest.
By Eja Manifest Eji
On July 19, 2025, during a rally in Uromi, Esan North East LGA, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo—who assumed office in November 2024—publicly warned Peter Obi, former Anambra governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, not to enter Edo State without prior clearance from the governor’s office. Okpebholo referenced Obi’s recent ₦15 million donation to the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences in Benin, saying out of the people Obi visited, three died shortly thereafter.
He said:
“Tell Obi he should not come to Edo without telling me… A new sheriff is in town.”
APC Chairman Echoes Hostility
Days later, Jarret Tenebe, Chairman of the APC in Edo, publicly declared that Peter Obi was not welcome in the state without permission, reinforcing Okpebholo’s stance. In media appearances and social platforms, he expressed outright hostility toward Obi.
Civic Groups Severely Denounce the Threat
The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), led by LP’s Chief Peter Ameh, condemned Okpebholo’s remarks as “despicable and unconstitutional”, asserting that they violate the constitutional rights to freedom of movement and expression. Ameh argued that such remarks constitute a veiled threat to civil liberties.
Peter Obi Responds at CKC: Calm and Determined
On July 24, 2025, Peter Obi addressed the controversy from Christ the King College (CKC), Onitsha, his alma mater, where he recently donated ₦50 million (in collaboration with alumni) to school infrastructure.
Obi firmly dismissed the idea that any governor could bar him from visiting:
“There is no threat… all these things don’t move me. I receive threats every time… I will always visit Edo State whenever I wish.”
He emphasized:
“I went to Benin to invest in a better life for the people. With good doctors and nurses… life improves. What I expect the governor to do is complement efforts aimed at improving society.”
This response came amid questions from journalists about Okpebholo’s statements. Obi called for unity rather than politicising goodwill.
Developing Pattern: Politicizing Acts of Charity?
Obi’s ₦15 million donation in Benin, and his ₦50 million support at CKC, are part of a broader philanthropic trajectory—supporting health, education, and social welfare institutions across states, often unannounced.
Okpebholo’s remarks attributing deaths to Obi’s donation and insisting on security clearance for civil contributions have drawn criticism from civil society and analysts as intimidatory and unconstitutional.
Public Sentiment & Social Media Backlash
Within hours of Obi’s CKC speech, social media trends like #LetObiVisit, #Don’tPoliticizeCharity, and #EdoForAll surfaced. Many users criticized the governor’s stance:
“Peter Obi did not come with threats, only support to our schools. You should be thankful for the ₦15 m donation, not gatekeeping it.”
Bottom Line
This episode underscores a growing tension in Nigeria’s democratic space: whether acts of philanthropy and civic engagement are perceived as threats or welcomed contributions. Peter Obi, through his measured response, seems to call for unity and collaboration across party and state lines.
As Nigeria prepares for 2027 elections, the expectation among many is that leaders should foster inclusion, not intimidation—and that development is shared, not restricted.
