Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has accused former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, of visiting a school in Edo State with alleged thugs during a donation exercise, claiming that the incident was followed by violence and loss of lives.
Okpebholo made the allegation while recounting Obi’s previous visit to the state, where the former Labour Party presidential candidate reportedly donated money to support the institution.
According to the governor, Obi arrived at the school with individuals he described as thugs, but allegedly failed to adequately compensate them before leaving, resulting in a disagreement and subsequent fighting.
“Peter Obi went to a particular school here in Edo State to donate money, and he went there with thugs. By the time he was leaving, he did not settle them. He gave money to just one person, and they started fighting. Somebody died. He knows,” Okpebholo said.
The governor, however, did not provide further details about the identity of the alleged individuals, the circumstances surrounding the reported death or evidence linking Obi’s visit to the incident.
Okpebholo also claimed that he had offered to provide security for Obi whenever he intended to visit Edo State for political activities.
He said he would welcome the former Anambra governor to the state but cautioned him against bringing individuals who could disrupt public peace.
“Even when he is coming tomorrow and he called me to say, ‘I am coming to your state, I want to come and campaign,’ I will say, come and campaign, but I will give you security. Don’t take thugs,” the governor stated.
The latest allegation comes amid previous disagreements between both political figures over Obi’s visits to Edo State.
In July 2025, Okpebholo warned Obi against visiting the state without informing him or obtaining security clearance, following the former governor’s visit to St. Philomena Hospital School of Nursing Sciences in Benin City, where he donated N15 million towards the completion of projects.
At the time, Okpebholo linked Obi’s visit to a resurgence of violence in the state and claimed that three people were killed after the donation exercise. However, he did not establish any direct connection between Obi’s visit and the reported killings.
