Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo advised the Former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi to follow due protocol for the interest and safety of the people of the state, including himself.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner For Information and Communication, Hon Paul Ohonbamu during the Morning Brief interview on Channels television.
The Commissioner said as the Chief Security officer charged with the responsibility to protect every citizen, Governor Okpebholo has the right to take decisions to protect the people by avoiding any incident that will incite violence in the state.
“The Governor told Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential candidate to follow the standard practice and protocol of informing the government when he is in the state.
” Like any other responsible leader, Peter Obi was advised by the Governor to inform the government when he visits the state because if anything happens and he becomes a victim, it is the state government that will be blamed.
“We have observed that when Peter Obi comes to the state he is accompanied by movement of troop of people, which has led to incitement of violence in the past.
” The Governor is security conscious and he is saying that when he is coming to the state
the government should be informed,” the Commissioner noted.
According to Ohonbamu, Governor Monday Okpebholo also does that when he goes to other states on visits.
Ohonbamu disclosed that Governor Okpebholo visited Kano State and he informed the Governor that he was coming to Kano. He went to Kano with just two people and it was the Governor of Kano State that provided the security and everything.
” That is the standing protocol and Peter Obi as a former Governor knows this. There should be no need for all the misrepresentation of the Governor’s statement.
“You do not enter into a state and start gathering people for political reasons. You can do anything you want, but the Governor should be informed to ensure there is crowd control, security and safety of everybody, including Peter Obi.
“The members of the Obidient group, a social political pressure group are bringing politics in to the Governor’s statement.They are creating tension where there is none,” the Commissioner added.
