Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has clarified his recent statement urging Peter Obi not to enter the state without prior clearance.
The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Sunday, said his remarks were a directive on protocol and not a threat.
He emphasised the need for high-profile individuals to adhere to security procedures.
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Okpebholo had, at a rally in Uromi on Friday, advised Obi against visiting the state without first obtaining clearance from the state government.
This followed Obi’s visit to Benin on July 7, during which he reportedly donated ₦15 million to a school.
The governor previously linked Obi’s visit to a subsequent resurgence of violence in the state.
The governor said his position stems from his constitutional responsibility as the state’s Chief Security Officer, which includes safeguarding lives and property.
He highlighted the necessity for politically exposed persons to notify and seek security clearance before engaging in public activities that could draw large crowds or media attention.
Okpebholo said ignoring such protocols will create significant security vulnerabilities for both the visitor and the citizens.
He stressed the particular relevance of these protocols given the increasing attacks and abductions targeting religious leaders, especially Catholic priests and Christian clerics.
Regarding the matter of public donations, the governor advised caution.
He argued that while gifts to churches, hospitals, or faith-based institutions are well-intentioned, they should be made with full consultation with security channels to avoid exposing these institutions and their leaders to further danger.
Okpebholo calls for discretion in public giving, it added, is rooted in both intelligence gathering and moral responsibility, citing the biblical admonition from Matthew 6:2-4 about discreet charity.
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He drew a distinction, noting, he was not Obi, who, as Governor of Anambra State, detained Nasir El-Rufai when he visited.
He urged leaders, regardless of their stature, to align with the security protocols and realities of any areas they visit, affirming that the state government would not permit politically motivated activities to jeopardise lives.
