Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike openly backed Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo's demand that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi get security clearance before visiting the state, adding fuel to the fire of the ongoing controversy over the security protocols for Obi's visit to Edo State. Due to this support, the discussion about safety, political animosity, and the duty of state governors to protect prominent guests in their states has intensified.
When Governor Okpebholo reminded Peter Obi that he needed to get the necessary security clearance before visiting Edo State last Friday, it caused quite a fuss. Following Obi's alleged contribution to a nursing school in Benin City, he connected his most recent visit to a security breach that allegedly resulted in the deaths of three individuals. Okpebholo stated that without this procedural permission, the state could not ensure Obi's safety and that if anything were to happen to him, he would be solely responsible. His remarks, the governor later explained, were not an explicit threat but rather a plea for strict adherence to security measures; he emphasized his constitutional obligation to protect citizens and their property in his role as Chief Security Officer of Edo State. The spokesperson for Okpebholo stressed the need for these security measures, saying that they were needed in light of the recent violent episodes in the state, such as attacks and abductions of religious leaders.
During an occasion in Benin City to commission the Edo Line transport project, FCT Minister and former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike sided with Governor Okpebholo, bringing him into the fracas. According to Wike, Obi had informed him ahead of time about his 2023 presidential campaign stops in Rivers State so that he could plan for vehicles and logistical support. He maintained that anything unfavorable happening to Obi during such visits would involve the hosting governor, underlining the necessity of prior security clearance. The governor's stance should not be interpreted as animosity, Wike said, since Okpebholo's demand was a legitimate security precaution and not an outright prohibition on Obi's movements.
Wike did not stop there; he also took a strong tone against Peter Obi’s recent public actions, specifically slamming a viral tape showing Obi distributing food at a church gathering in Imo State. Wike labeled the gesture as political theater intended for popular sympathy, criticizing the modesty story around it. He questioned the logistics and security implications of a presidential candidate personally serving food and said that such gestures were disingenuous attempts to garner favor. The minister went further, claiming that Obi’s prospects for the presidency were fading and hinted that his acts were more about optics than true leadership qualities.
The clash has prompted a reaction from various prominent personalities. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar decried threats against opposition leaders, expressly stressing that any danger to Peter Obi is a threat to all opposition groups. Atiku’s remarks were a direct response to Okpebholo’s security clearance demand, which some interpreted as a veiled threat or intimidation tactic against Obi. Atiku advocated respect for political opponents and highlighted the significance of political inclusion and safety.
Governor Okpebholo has stayed steady, claiming he has no remorse regarding his security clearance requirement. He underlined that when Obi visited Rivers State during Okpebholo’s reign, Obi obeyed the norm by notifying the authorities in advance. The governor underlined that his appeal is centered on responsible governance and security intelligence rather than political hostility. He further recommended a more careful approach to politically sensitive public donations and appearances to prevent inciting unrest or exposing vulnerable institutions and persons to risk.
The episode has exposed fault lines in Nigerian politics concerning security, freedom of movement for political personalities, and the norms expected of politicians visiting states outside their base. It underscores the problems of reconciling security concerns with political freedom and the sensitivity of opposition actions in politically sensitive contexts.
Governor Okpebholo’s insistence on security clearance can be interpreted as both a protective precaution and a demonstration of the power and authority state governors possess in administering their territories. At the same time, it offers an opportunity for accusations of political manipulation or intimidation against opposition candidates, as seen by the strong pushback from Peter Obi’s followers and certain political observers.
Wike’s public backing for the governor reflects an alliance among certain important lawmakers that stresses tight security standards for high-profile political visits. His critiques of Obi’s public image and actions add another layer to the political narrative, depicting Obi as increasingly vulnerable and less credible in his political ambitions.
As Nigeria approaches future elections, the interaction between security concerns and political competition remains a critical issue. The situation in Edo State provides a case study of how security protocols intersect with political rivalry and how political personalities traverse this terrain in a setting where violence and unrest remain continuous dangers.
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