The Edo State Government clarified Governor Godwin Obaseki’s statement regarding Peter Obi’s visit to the state, emphasizing that it wasn’t a threat but a call for security protocol adherence. The controversy arose after Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, donated N15 million to St Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences during a visit on June 7. Governor Obaseki linked Obi’s visit to a subsequent resurgence of violence in the state, including three deaths, prompting his statement requiring Obi to obtain security clearance before future visits.
The government’s clarification, issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, stressed that Obaseki’s statement shouldn’t be misconstrued as a threat. Instead, it underlined the governor’s responsibility as the Chief Security Officer to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors. The statement highlighted the need for high-profile individuals, especially politically exposed persons, to notify and seek security clearance before public engagements in the state. This protocol, the government argued, is essential for mitigating security vulnerabilities and preventing avoidable threats.
The government linked the governor’s position to the increasing attacks and abductions of religious leaders, particularly Catholic priests and Christian clerics, which Edo State has also experienced. Itua emphasized that public donations to religious institutions, while commendable, should be conducted cautiously and in consultation with security agencies to avoid jeopardizing the safety of these institutions and their leaders. He cited biblical principles of discreet giving, emphasizing that such wisdom is especially crucial in the current volatile security climate.
The statement further drew a comparison between Governor Obaseki and Peter Obi, referencing an incident where Obi, during his tenure as Anambra State Governor, allegedly detained Nasir El-Rufai during a visit. Itua cautioned against politicizing the issue, asserting that the Edo State Government won’t allow politically motivated activities to endanger lives. He reiterated the expectation that all leaders, regardless of their stature, comply with security protocols in areas they visit.
The government emphasized that Governor Obaseki is committed to a safe and inclusive Edo State and is actively working to address inherited security challenges. They portrayed the call for coordination and orderliness not as hostility but as responsible governance. The statement concluded by reiterating the state’s welcoming stance towards well-meaning Nigerians, provided they respect established security and procedural protocols.
In essence, the Edo State Government clarified that Governor Obaseki’s statement regarding Peter Obi’s visit was not a threat but a call for adherence to security protocols. They highlighted the governor’s responsibility to ensure the safety of all, emphasized the need for caution in public donations to religious institutions, and cautioned against politicizing the issue. Ultimately, the government reiterated their commitment to a safe and inclusive Edo State while expecting all visitors to respect established security procedures.
