Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State says he has no regret asking the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, to always notify him before visiting the state.
Okpebholo who made the remark during the official commissioning the State-owned transport company
“New Edo Line”, said he only gave an advice, and did not issue a threat as being widely said.
“I only told Mr. Peter Obi to notify me as the Chief Security Officer of Edo State when coming to the State. Is that a crime?”
“I have no regrets about it. I repeat that before coming to Edo State, he should notify me. It is not a threat”.
“Do not come to Edo without telling me. This is a clear statement. I am not here to only work for Edo people but also in government to protect Edo people and visitors coming to the State.
Citing the shooting at the airport during 2024 electioneering campaign, he said his failure to adhere to such directive by a Commissioner of Police during former Governor Godwin Obaseki, administration, caused the death of his Police orderly, Inspector Inspector Akor Onu, at the Benin Airport.
.”I don’t know which one is paining them. Is it because I said they don’t have shishi? Do they not say they don’t have shishi. So, why are they crying?”
Okpebholo, however, attributed the establishment of the New Edo Line transport company to the increase of the state’s share in monthly federal allocation.
On his part, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who was a special guest at the occasion, said he supported Okpebholo on security protocols for high-profile Nigerians like Mr. Peter Obi.
