₦airaland Forum

I think the media tried to exaggerate it. You know people who don't talk too much, they have to choose how they want to communicate. The essential message is clear, but let me tell you this, Peter Obi was my colleague and we know each other very well, and I liked him, I still do, but politically we don't agree. I do not subscribe to his views in certain matters.

Now, let me tell you this, on the 4th or 3rd of June, I was invited by the Academic Staff Union of Universities of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to deliver a lecture and that is in Enugu State. I was once a Governor, I am no longer a Governor, I know what the protocol is. It's not written, it's a matter of common sense, aatzer of decency but also in my self-interest. I told my orderly, can you get the Phone Number and reach the Governor of Enugu State. He said he doesn't have it, I said go and look for it. Eventually, he was able to get the Governor' ADC, he gave me the phone and I spoke with him, please can I speak with the Governor, and he said the Governor is not available. Please can you help me convey a message that I have this invite which I have accepted to honour and I will be coming to Enugu tomorrow or next tomorrow and I will be grateful if His Excellency is informed of my visit. Number two, I will be even more happy if he can assist me with a vehicle and to provide me with some security from the Airport to Nsukka.

There is no law in Nigeria that says I must do that, but having been a Governor, even though now no more a Governor, I understand that the Governor of Enugu State needs to know I am in his territory. Not that the Nigerian Constitution says I should say so. It is a matter of personal discipline and protocol. When I was Governor of Edo State, President Olusegun Obasanjo, if you remember Obasanjo, he once described me as behaving as an Alternate President, running the Nigerian Labour Congress like a parallel Government and also wanting to overthrow his own Government. He accused me of treason so we were not best of friends but there was nothing personal, it was just that I questioned and fought against some of his policies. But after been NLC President, I now became Governor but I was rigged out by his Party, the PDP under a policy of do or die but I went to Court, defeated his Party and I was sworn-in.

As a former President of Nigeria that commands the kind of respect that we have acknowledged, he was coming to Edo State and informed me that he wanted to do xyz and he will like to seee thereafter. So we arranged, got vehicles to the Airport to receive him, to accord him all the necessary respect and all the logistics he required, as well as security, and he even humbled me by coming toy residence. And the media asked him why are you here and he said and I quote: Whomever you think you are, when you are going to a State, there is a Constitutional Authority in that State and you are a politically-exposed person. It is just normal and out of respect that you you go to that person, even if he is your grandson, you say Mr Governor I am in your territory, that is why he has come to inform me he is in Edo and to share with me what he wanted to do and for me to accord him all the respect.
That's the way it should be.

The property of Edo State Government is entrusted in the hands of the Edo State Governor. So, if anyone , myself inclusive, yourself inclusive, if I go to Enugu State or to Anambra State, when Obi was Governor and I want to visit a Government-owned facility, like a Nursing Institution, it's a matter of decency and self-respect to say I will be coming to visit, not a private facility. That school is built, equipped, owned and funded by Edo State Government 100% so Peter Obi's handout is not in anyway compared to what the Government institutionally provide every year in the budget, to support that Institution.
So, it doesn't matter the fact that he has good intentions but Obi as a former Governor shouldn't allow that give him some thoughts.

So maybe what might argue is how you interpreted choice of words but the intentions of Governor Monday is clear to me. Please, if you are coming,it's just nice that you inform me. Obi is not seeking permission, protocol or licence to come to Edo, let's leave it at that.

fergie001:
Edo North Senator, Adams Oshiomhole speaking AriseTV's Charles Aniagolu on Governor Okpebholo's outburst on Peter Obi's visit to a Nursing Institution in Edo State

Penguin2:
Lunatics have taken over the asylum. So, I’m not surprised.

This is why we need Peter Obi to come and put the lunatics back in the cage and bring sanity to this country.

In the new Nigeria that is coming, charlatans like Okpebholo will stop amounting to anything.

So, let them enjoy the madness while it lasts.

Racoon:
Hehehe! Make una dey set up anarchy and institute lawlessness. E go reach everyone last last. Whatever goes around because of politics also comes around.

henrybomb:
Instead of them to correct his shortcomings and overzealousness they will rather come out and defend nonsense.

You come on a campaign ground to dish out nonsense like “your security will not be guaranteed” “he is on your own” “person wey sey him no get 1.5m give 15m”

Same person said “the money wey I take dey do road na Tinubu dey give me” like who says such thing in 2025 or he loves goofing every time with no iota of reasoning….there is no such thing as exaggeration from the media he is just slow with his thoughts.

Kanixt:
Inform him to sponsor the visitation or what?

Obi for now is an ordinary Nigerian, therefore ordinary Nigerian can't visit Edo but must inform the governor. Oga, there are big challenges in Edo why not face it.

richmond500:
That is not enough, anyone going to Edo, even corp members and commuters should inform him first.

Me sef wan enter Bayelsa next week o, Gov douye Diri, shebi u deh hear? I no wan hear say I no inform u o

Bentacur007:
Corrupt politicians we get for this country eeee

richmond500:
That is not enough, anyone going to Edo, even corp members and commuters should inform him first.

Me sef wan enter Bayelsa next week o, Gov douye Diri, shebi u deh hear? I no wan hear say I no inform u o

MemphitzDgreat1:
Peter Obi is a real thorn in the flesh and minds of the APC

richmond500:
That is not enough, anyone going to Edo, even corp members and commuters should inform him first.

Me sef wan enter Bayelsa next week o, Gov douye Diri, shebi u deh hear? I no wan hear say I no inform u o

jmoore:
You said you hate someone.
You threatened the person


And you are saying you are right by trying to settle for damage control.

Putindbutt:
Obi is a boy, even polytechnic students are slapping him🤣