The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday criticized the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, for allegedly playing politics with governance in Edo.
The minister was reacting to the controversy trailing Governor Monday Okpebholo’s warning to Obi about visit to the South-South state.
Okpebholo had last Friday told the former Anambra State governor not to visit the state without security clearance.
“There’s a new sheriff in town. He cannot just come into Edo without informing me. His security will not be guaranteed. If anything happens to him here, he will have himself to blame. I’m not joking,” Okpebholo had said in a broadcast.
The comments have attracted backlash from Obi supporters, with many questioning the governor’s right to stop a Nigerian from visiting Edo State.
Wike spoke during the commissioning of the new Edo Line transport terminal in Benin City.
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The former Rivers governor urged the LP chieftain to stop playing to the gallery or politicising governance matters.
He stressed that Okpebholo did not stop Obi from entering Edo but only requested prior notice for security reasons.
He said: “Leadership is not easy. As a leader, you are a dustbin—people throw all kinds of things at you. I have watched on television recently unnecessary debates. That is why I say Nigerians forget history. When I was governor, when Peter Obi was coming to my state, he notified me.
“I provided logistics, vehicles for him to use. Because at that level, as a presidential candidate, if he does not tell you and anything happens, the governor will be held responsible.
“And people should stop politicking when the truth is being told. Obi, knowing fully well that with their so-called coalition, anything can happen, will accuse the governor that he was behind it.”