Senator Adams Oshiomhole has defended Governor Monday Okpebholo’s reaction to a recent visit by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to a nursing institution in Edo State, insisting that the governor’s concerns were rooted in protocol and mutual respect, not political rivalry.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV with Charles Aniagolu, Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State and current Senator representing Edo North, said the media exaggerated the incident and misinterpreted the governor’s intentions.
“I think the media tried to exaggerate it. Governor Okpebholo’s message was simple: it’s just a matter of courtesy to inform the sitting governor when visiting a government-owned facility,” Oshiomhole said.
He acknowledged his personal admiration for Obi but highlighted their political differences. “Peter Obi was my colleague. I liked him then and I still do, but we don’t agree politically on many issues,” he said.
Citing his own experience, Oshiomhole recounted how he reached out to the Enugu State Government ahead of a recent lecture he was invited to deliver at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Although no law mandates such a gesture, he said it was a matter of “personal discipline and protocol.”
“When I was invited by ASUU to speak in Nsukka, I told my orderly to get the Enugu Governor’s contact. I eventually spoke with the governor’s aide and conveyed my message — that I would be in the state and would appreciate logistics and security support,” he explained.
The senator recalled how, during his tenure as Edo governor, he extended similar courtesies to former President Olusegun Obasanjo despite their past political clashes. “Even Obasanjo came to my residence when visiting Edo, acknowledging that no matter who you are, you should show respect to the constitutional authority in any state you visit.”
Oshiomhole emphasised that Governor Okpebholo’s remarks were not about denying Obi entry into Edo, but about observing the necessary protocols when visiting state-run institutions. “If you’re visiting a government-owned facility — not a private one — it’s just decent to notify the state government,” he said.
While acknowledging Obi’s goodwill, Oshiomhole argued that institutional support from government far outweighs any individual intervention, stating that “Obi’s handout is not in any way comparable to what the state government provides annually in the budget.”
“Let’s be clear: nobody is asking for permission or a licence to enter Edo. It’s about mutual respect and understanding of official boundaries,” he added.
The controversy stems from Obi’s recent visit to a government-run nursing school in Edo State, which reportedly drew a reaction from Governor Okpebholo, prompting public discourse on the appropriate protocol for such visits.
