By Samuel Adeola
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, over his call for Peter Obi to seek security clearance before visiting the state.
Okpebholo had linked Obi’s recent visit to Edo to a security breach that allegedly left three people dead. Speaking at the commissioning of Edo Line in Benin City, Wike said he had similar experiences with Obi when he was governor of Rivers.
“When Peter Obi was coming to my state, he notified me, and I provided vehicles and logistics for him,” Wike said. He stressed that as a presidential candidate, “any harm that comes to Obi would be blamed on the governor.”
Wike clarified that Okpebholo’s comment was not a ban but “a call for cooperation to ensure security.” He added: “If anything happens to Obi, they would accuse the governor that he was behind it… all you’re saying is if you’re coming, tell me, because I’m here to protect you.”
The minister criticised those “playing to the gallery,” saying: “This is not where a presidential candidate will be serving food. And you know this is a pretense. How long will you keep serving the food?”
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned Okpebholo’s remarks, insisting any “threat” to Obi is “a threat to the entire opposition.”
