Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the warning issued by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The New Daily Prime earlier reported that Okpebholo insisted that Obi must obtain security clearance before entering the state.
READ ALSO: “Deaths followed your visit” – Okpebholo tells Obi to stay away from Edo without clearance
Reacting to the development, Atiku, who recently announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the warning as unacceptable.
In a statement posted on his X page on Tuesday, he declared that any threat to the former governor of Anambra State represents a threat to all opposition voices.
“Let it be known that a threat against Peter Obi or any of us is a threat against all of us”, he said.
Okpebholo stirred controversy after linking a resurgence of violence in the state to a recent visit by Obi.
Speaking during the defection of federal lawmaker Marcus Onobun to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo alleged that ‘death followed Obi’s visit’.
The remark triggered widespread backlash from opposition figures and members of the public.
Obi visited Benin City, the Edo State capital, earlier in July, where he donated N15 million to support a development project at the St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences.
However, Okpebholo controversially claimed that his visit coincided with renewed violence across the state.
“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped ₦15 million. 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 governor claimed.
READ ALSO: Ortom defends G5’s rebellion against PDP in 2023, Atiku, party hit back
However, after many interpreted the statement as an attempt to intimidate or restrict opposition figures from freely engaging within the state, the governor clarified that he meant no harm.
He explained that his remarks were merely based on protocol.
