Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has clarified his earlier remarks directed at the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, stating that his comments were merely advisory and not a threat.

Speaking on Tuesday during the official commissioning of the New Edo Line transport company in Benin City, Governor Okpebholo maintained that he had no regrets asking Obi to notify the state government ahead of any future visits.

“What I said was simply an advice. I said, don’t come to Edo State without telling me. If telling him to notify me as the chief security officer of the State is a crime, so be it,” Okpebholo said.

The Governor explained that his statement was informed by a personal tragedy during a previous administration. Recalling a past incident, he said his failure to heed security advice from a former Commissioner of Police in 2024 resulted in the death of his police orderly, Inspector Akor Onu, at the Benin Airport.

 “I went through this same process before in 2024. I ignored advice to remain at the airport. At the gate, my policeman was shot dead right before my eyes,” he recounted.

The governor insisted that the safety of all political figures and visitors remains a priority and that his comments were rooted in genuine security concerns.

Addressing the reactions that followed his remarks, Okpebholo said,

“I don’t know which one is paining them. Is it because I said they don’t have ‘shishi’? Didn’t they say it themselves? So why are they crying?”