Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned against threats to opposition leaders, declaring that any threat to the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, amounts to a threat to all opposition figures.
Atiku’s warning comes amid a brewing row over Obi’s recent visit to Edo State, which Governor Monday Okpebholo insists must follow proper security clearance protocols.
Okpebholo, during the inauguration of the New Edo Line Transport Company in Benin, on Tuesday, reiterated his earlier position that Obi should inform the state government of his visits, describing it as a matter of security rather than intimidation.
His statement was re-echoed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who stated that high-profile Nigerians like Obi needed to inform the governor of any state about their visit to ensure guaranteed security.
Okpebholo had, on July 18, 2025, urged Obi to get security clearance before coming to the state.
The governor, speaking at a rally to welcome defectors to the All Progressives Congress, said that Obi’s visit to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences on June 7, 2025, where he donated N15m for the completion of projects in the school, coincided with the resurgence of violence and the killing of three persons.
The governor said, “That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped N15m. 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.
“His visit coincided with a resurgence of violence in the state, and this will not be tolerated.”
The comment generated controversy as human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, the African Democratic Congress, among others, rose in defence of Obi.
Warning against what he termed “a threat against opposition figures,” Atiku, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, said any threat against Obi is a threat to all opposition figures.
He wrote, “Let it be known that a threat against Peter Obi or any of us is a threat against all of us!”
Not deterred, Okpebholo, on Tuesday, said his job was not only to work for Edo people, but to provide security for the people and visitors to the state.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Edo Line, he said, “I am not supposed to talk much due to the rain. Even when they said I could talk, but just one sentence, everyone was crying. What I said was simply advice, ‘Don’t come to Edo without telling me.’
“When I was saying it, was I chewing hot yam? Do I need one plus three to make my sentence? Do I need to read an encyclopedia before people can understand what I am saying?
“My job is not only to work for Edo people, my job is to save the lives of Edo citizens and visitors coming into Edo. If telling him (Peter Obi) to notify me of his coming as the chief security officer of the state is a crime, so be it.
“I have no regrets about what I have said, and I repeat it: before you come into Edo State, notify me. It is not a threat.”
Speaking of his experience, Okpebholo said, “I went through this same process. I was advised when I came to the airport before the election by the then Commissioner of Police to remain at the airport. I ignored the advice and went out.
“My police escort was shot dead before my eyes. I have advised the former governor of Anambra State, if he likes, let him take it, if he likes, let him dwell on social media, it does not concern me.
“I had a security report and advised the former governor of Anambra State to inform me whenever he is coming to Edo State. If he likes, let him take my advice.”
Speaking on the New Edo Line, Okpebholo said the project was possible because of support from President Bola Tinubu.
“What we are seeing today is a dream come true. The Edo people have been in the wilderness for a very long time. Thank God they open their eyes and choose to follow the path of Lagos this time around.”
Wike, who was the guest of honour at the inauguration, backed Okpebholo on security protocols for high-profile Nigerians, like Obi.
He noted that when Obi visited him while he was the governor of Rivers State, he secured a permit before embarking on that journey.
The FCT minister wondered why he did not observe the same protocol when he visited Edo State.
“High-profile Nigerians like Peter Obi need to inform the governor of any state about their visit to ensure their security is guaranteed.
“When Obi visited Rivers State while I was the governor, he secured a permit before embarking on that journey. I wonder why he did not observe the same protocol when he visited Edo State,” he said.
The PUNCH