Benin City: The Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has issued a public clarification concerning his earlier remarks about the visit of former presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Mr. Peter Obi, to the state.
This clarification follows the unfortunate incident that occurred during Obi’s recent visit to the School of Nursing in Benin City, where a stampede led to the tragic deaths of three individuals.
The former Anambra State governor was in Benin to donate ₦15 million to support the institution’s learning infrastructure and provide educational tools for nursing students.
In a statement released through his media office on Sunday, Governor Okpebholo emphasized that his previous comment which called for dignitaries like Peter Obi to notify the governor before entering the state was rooted in protocol and administrative procedure, not political rivalry or hostility.
My intention was never to ban or threat His Excellency Peter Obi, Okpebholo stated. He remains a respected national figure and former governor. However, in line with established protocol, it is appropriate that any public official or high-profile visitor informs the sitting governor of their visit. This fosters coordination, security, and mutual respect.
The governor also addressed the emotional aspect of charitable acts such as Obi’s donation, urging restraint in how such gestures are publicized. There are moral and spiritual aspects to giving that should be kept private, he noted.
These should not be used for political branding or public spectacle. Acts of generosity are most meaningful when they are sincere and handled with dignity.
He described the situation as deeply regrettable and called for a comprehensive review of crowd management protocols, particularly during visits by political leaders or public figures.
We are committed to investigating the matter thoroughly and ensuring such an incident never happens again.
Analysts believe the clarification from Governor Okpebholo is aimed at diffusing rising political tension and promoting responsible leadership and unity across party lines.
