The Edo State Government has said that Governor Monday Okpebholo’s recent remark about Peter Obi was not meant as an attack on the former Labour Party presidential candidate.
The governor had on Friday warned that Peter Obi should not visit Edo State without informing him. The statement drew criticism online, with many Nigerians accusing the governor of being unfamiliar with constitutional rights.
Reacting on Sunday, Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, said the comment was based on official protocol, not personal dislike or political rivalry.
“The governor respects Mr. Obi and all Nigerians,” Itua said in a statement. “His comment was not meant to insult or disrespect anyone, but to underline the importance of protocol in official visits.”
He added: “Where misunderstandings arise, it is the responsibility of leaders to clarify, not to condemn. And that is what this moment calls for: clarity.”
The statement called for unity and understanding among Nigerians, stressing that the governor’s intention was not political but procedural.
Peter Obi, who served as governor of Anambra State and was the Labour Party’s flagbearer in the 2023 presidential election, remains a popular figure across the country and has been visiting states to engage with citizens and party supporters.