Oshiomhole Urges Peter Obi to Notify Edo Governor Before State Visits

Oshiomhole Urges Peter Obi to Notify Edo Governor Before State Visits

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North Senatorial District, has called on Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, to inform Governor Monday Okpebholo before visiting Edo State, citing decency and respect for state authority.

Speaking on Friday, Oshiomhole emphasized the importance of notifying state authorities when prominent figures like Obi plan to visit government-owned facilities. He noted that the school Obi intends to visit is fully funded and maintained by the Edo State government. “The property of the Edo State government is entrusted to the governor. It’s a matter of decency and self-respect to inform the authorities,” Oshiomhole stated.

The senator’s remarks follow Governor Okpebholo’s warning last week that Obi should seek security clearance before visiting the state. The governor linked a recent visit by Obi to a security breach that allegedly led to three deaths, a claim that sparked widespread criticism and accusations of political intimidation.

Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor, acknowledged his past camaraderie with Obi, saying, “Peter Obi was my colleague, and we knew each other very well. I liked him then, and I still do, but politically, we don’t agree.” He stressed that his call for prior notification is not personal but a matter of protocol for accessing state facilities.

The controversy has heightened political tensions in Edo State, with debates ongoing about the balance between security protocols and political freedoms.