Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has accused opposition leaders of deliberately stoking political unrest in the state, warning the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, against visiting the state without prior notification and security clearance.
Speaking during a defection rally where former opposition party members, including Hon. Marcus Onobun, formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo condemned Obi’s recent visit to Benin City, linking it to a spike in violence.
“That man who says he has no ‘shishi’ came and dropped ₦15 million. Where did he get it from? After he left, three people were killed. For this reason, Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance,” the governor declared.
Okpebholo also took aim at opposition figures, accusing them of past corruption, failed leadership, and complicity in Nigeria’s security woes.
“Some of them stole railway funds. Some were Senate Presidents for years but couldn’t build roads to their villages.
“Others sold off national assets and paved the way for Boko Haram and kidnappers. Now, they’re hopping from one political party to another—today SDP, tomorrow ADC, next ADA. These are merchants of insecurity,” he said.
Receiving Onobun and other defectors, Okpebholo described their defection as the final blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, insisting that the APC now has total control.
“We are not begging anyone to join APC. They are coming on their own because they see the results of good governance. In 2027, 2.5 million votes from Edo will go to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he boasted.
Okpebholo also dismissed the growing online popularity of some opposition leaders, branding it “social media winning.”
“Last week, we finally buried the PDP in Edo. I saw someone crying at Ring Road, claiming to have 65%. That’s just online noise. When I said I would become governor, I meant it.
“Today, we are turning Edo into a construction site, and the people can see the difference,” he added.
Welcoming Onobun and his supporters into the APC, the governor called for collaboration to advance his administration’s developmental goals.
He stressed the need for accountability in project delivery and alignment with citizens’ needs.
Acting Deputy State Chairman of APC, Sylvester Aigboboh, described the defection as a major boost ahead of the senatorial rerun election scheduled for next month.
He expressed confidence that more PDP members would join the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In his remarks, Hon. Marcus Onobun, who represents Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, said his defection was driven by both ideology and pragmatism.
“I led the campaign for an Esan Governor. Now that we have one, I cannot remain in the opposition.
“I’ve seen what Governor Okpebholo is doing, and Edo people have seen it too. I am back home to support him so our people can benefit more,” Onobun stated.
He was joined by several former APC members who had earlier defected with him to the PDP but have now returned to the ruling party.
