Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has denied issuing threats to Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, following backlash over his recent remarks about Obi’s visit to the state capital.
Obi was in Benin on July 7, 2025, where he donated ₦15 million to St. Philomena Hospital’s School of Nursing Sciences for the completion of ongoing projects.
However, the visit coincided with renewed insecurity in the state, prompting the governor to publicly criticise Obi for allegedly not notifying the state government beforehand.
Governor Okpebholo’s reported warnings that Obi should not return to the state without prior notice sparked outrage on social media and drew strong rebukes from notable figures, including human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, who called on the governor to withdraw his threat and apologise.
However, in a statement released on Sunday, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor clarified that his comments were misinterpreted.
