Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a stern warning to the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, stating that he must obtain security clearance before visiting the state in the future.
Governor Okpebholo made the remarks on Friday while receiving Marcus Onobun, the last remaining opposition federal lawmaker in Edo, into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor condemned Obi’s recent visit to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences in Benin City on July 7, during which the former Anambra State governor donated ₦15 million for project completion.
“That man who says 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.
He linked Obi’s visit to a resurgence of violence in the state, calling it “unacceptable.”
Political Shifts and Defections
Welcoming Onobun’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, Governor Okpebholo described it as “the final nail in the coffin” of the PDP in Edo State. “We are not lobbying anyone to join 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,” he said.
He ridiculed the opposition for relying on “social media winning” and took swipes at their leadership history, accusing unnamed figures of corruption, failure to deliver infrastructure, and even enabling insecurity during their time in national office.
“Some of them stole railway funds. Some were Senate Presidents for years and could not build roads to their villages. Some sold off Nigeria’s assets and ushered in Boko Haram and kidnappers. Now they want to form new parties. We do not need insecurity merchants,” he added.
APC Prepares for Rerun, Strengthens Base
The Acting Deputy State Chairman of the APC, Sylvester Aigboboh, hailed Onobun’s defection as a major boost for the party ahead of the senatorial rerun election scheduled for next month. “The remnants in the PDP will also join us soon. The APC is now the dominant party in Edo,” Aigboboh stated.
Onobun: “I Am Back Home”In his remarks, Hon. Marcus Onobun, who represents Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, said his decision to return to the APC was ideological and strategic.
“I led the campaign for an Esan Governor. Now that we have one, I cannot be 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,” Onobun said.
He was joined by several political allies who had previously defected to the PDP but have now returned with him to the APC — a move analysts view as a significant consolidation of political influence ahead of the 2027 elections.
