Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has stood by his recent advisory to former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to notify state authorities before visiting Edo.

Speaking during the unveiling of a fleet of modern transit buses in Benin City on Tuesday, Governor Okpebholo addressed the backlash surrounding his comments, clarifying that the message was not a threat but a sincere security precaution based on personal experience.

 “I simply said it is an advice: ‘Don’t come to Edo without telling me.’ Was that truly hot yam?” he asked rhetorically.

“Do I need to read an encyclopedia for people to understand what I’m saying?”

Okpebholo recalled a traumatic incident during the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki, in which a police officer assigned to him, Inspector Akor, was shot dead shortly after he ignored security advice to remain at the airport upon arrival in Benin.

 “The commissioner of police under Obaseki told me to stay at the airport. I ignored that advice. Just outside the gate, my police orderly was shot right in front of me.”

The governor emphasized that his comment to Peter Obi was purely precautionary, not political.

 “I have a security report. I advised the former governor of Anambra State. If he likes, let him take it. If he likes, let him dwell in social media. It doesn’t concern me.”

Governor Okpebholo also responded to critics who accused him of attacking the opposition, particularly the Labour Party and its supporters, some of whom took offense to his earlier remark suggesting they had "no shishi" (no money).

“To Edo people, we have made our statement clear. I don’t know which one is paining them. Is it because I said they don’t have shishi? Didn’t they say so themselves?”

His comments come amid rising political tension ahead of the upcoming Edo gubernatorial election and growing criticism from opposition leaders. Earlier on Tuesday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar warned that any perceived threat to Peter Obi or opposition figures would be treated as a threat to the entire opposition coalition.

Despite the backlash, Okpebholo insists his concern was rooted in security, not hostility, and remains confident in his stance.