Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarret Tenebe, has stirred controversy following a bold declaration that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, should not enter Edo State without obtaining security clearance from Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Tenebe made this statement in support of the governor’s recent caution to Obi, insisting that the warning was not only appropriate but necessary given the alleged hostility many people in Edo, including himself, have towards the former Anambra governor.
He claimed that Obi’s previous visit to the state led to the loss of lives and therefore any future visit should be subject to security scrutiny to prevent further incidents.
Speaking on the matter, Jarret Tenebe said:
“The governor can say that because of the kind of hatred that people had for Peter Obi, including me. And when you have so many of us that have such hatred for people like that—most especially when they came to Edo State and people died—it is proper for him to tell the governor before he comes so that people like us will be sent on errand out of Edo.
”Tenebe’s comments have sparked widespread reactions, with critics condemning his language of “hatred” as inflammatory and undemocratic. Many argue that such a statement is unbecoming of a political leader in a democratic setting where freedom of movement and political engagement should be protected.
The remarks come amid growing political tension in the state, as the build-up to the 2025 governorship election intensifies. With opposition figures like Obi expected to play a role in shaping public opinion and mobilizing support for their party’s candidates, Tenebe’s stance is being viewed by many as an attempt to suppress political activity outside the ruling APC’s control.
Despite the backlash, Tenebe has not retracted his statement, and as of now, there has been no formal response from Peter Obi or his spokesperson regarding the warning issued by the Edo State governor or Tenebe’s comments.
